Proverbs 9 in the early church
221 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 9, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18
Proverbs 9:1
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
Proverbs 9:2
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:2 | On Proverbs, fragment 35 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 9:2 | Antidote for the Scorpion's Sting 7 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 211–213 |
| Prov 9:2 | On First Principles 2.11.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398) |
| Prov 9:2 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 185 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:2 | PG 12:1261 (Ps 22 LXX) · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:2 | PG 12:1263 (Ps 22 LXX) · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:2 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 1.2 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 9:2 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.180 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 9:2 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.184 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 9:2 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.185 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 9:2 | Commentary on Romans 8.8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 9:2 | Commentary on Romans 10.14 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 9:2 | Homilies 2.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:2 | Homilies 12.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:2 | On the Christian Faith 1.15 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Prov 9:2 | Exposition of Psalm 118 1.3.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 9:2 | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.11.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 9:2 | On Fleeing the World 51 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
| Prov 9:2 | Homily 4 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 9:2 | Homily 9 · Gregory of Nyssa | echo, low confidence | ca. 390–394 |
Proverbs 9:3
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:3 | Miscellanies 1.17.81 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 9:3 | On First Principles 2.11.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398) |
| Prov 9:3 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 185 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:3 | PG 12:1125 (Ps 3 LXX) · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:3 | Homily on the Paralytic 6 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350-387 |
| Prov 9:3 | Homilies 12.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:3 | On the Christian Faith 1.15 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Prov 9:3 | Letters 40.8 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Proverbs 9:4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:4 | On Proverbs, fragment 35 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 9:4 | PG 12:1125 (Ps 3 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:4 | Against Celsus 3.54 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Prov 9:4 | Homilies 12.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:4 | On the Christian Faith 1.15 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Prov 9:4 | On Fleeing the World 51 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
Proverbs 9:5
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:5 | On First Principles 2.11.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398) |
| Prov 9:5 | Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:5 | PG 12:1125 (Ps 3 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:5 | PG 12:1511 (Ps 68 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:5 | Homilies on Jeremiah 12.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| Prov 9:5 | Homilies on Jeremiah 12.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| Prov 9:5 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.184 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 9:5 | Against Celsus 3.54 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Prov 9:5 | Fragment E III (on Ecclesiastes) · Dionysius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–265 |
| Prov 9:5 | Oration 34.8 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 9:5 | Letter 98.2 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 9:5 | On Cain and Abel 1.19 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Prov 9:5 | On Paradise 14 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Prov 9:5 | On the Making of Man 19 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | 379 |
| Prov 9:5 | On Naboth 33 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Prov 9:5 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.31 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 9:5 | On Fleeing the World 51 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
| Prov 9:5 | On Joseph 41 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
| Prov 9:5 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 7 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420-430 |
| Prov 9:5 | Part 1, chapter 31 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Proverbs 9:6
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:6 | Against Celsus 3.54 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Prov 9:6 | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.11.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 9:7
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 185 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:7–8 | To Quirinus 3.102 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 9:7 | Letters 38.5 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Proverbs 9:8
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:8 | Sentences of Sextus 245 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | 2nd-early 3rd cent. |
| Prov 9:8 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 185 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:8 | Commentary on John 32.180 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 9:8 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 6.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 9:8 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 7.2 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 9:8 | Paraenesis, or Exhortation to Penitence 2 · Pacian of Barcelona | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-390 |
| Prov 9:8 | Homilies 21.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:8 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.5.3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 9:8 | Letter 210.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 9:8 | Letter 220.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 9:8 | Sermon 392.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 9:8 | Confessions 6.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Prov 9:8 | On the Trinity 14.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–419 |
Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:9 | Miscellanies 1.1.14 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 9:9 | PG 12:1193 (Ps 9 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 9:9 | Commentary on John 32.181 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 9:9 | Homily on Isaiah 7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| Prov 9:9 | Homilies on Leviticus 1.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 9:9 | Homilies on Numbers 14.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 2.11 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 3.4 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 3.6 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 4.3 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 4.4 · Antony the Great | allusion, medium confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 6.4 · Antony the Great | quotation, high confidence | before 356 |
| Prov 9:9 | Demonstration 20.17 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 1 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letters 156, 157, 158, 159 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 260 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Prov 9:9 | Homilies 21.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 9:9 | Synodal Letter 98 · Amphilochius of Iconium | quotation, high confidence | ca. 376 |
| Prov 9:9 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 9.5.1 · Epiphanius of Salamis | echo, low confidence | 374-377 |
| Prov 9:9 | On the Trinity 2 · Faustinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380–384 |
| Prov 9:9 | Letter 93.17 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 9:9 | Homilies on Matthew 6.3 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:12
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
Proverbs 9:13
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:13 | The Instructor 3.11.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 9:13–17 | On Cain and Abel 1.14 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Prov 9:13–14 | On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Prov 9:13 | Against Jovinianus 1.28 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Prov 9:13 | Confessions 3.11 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Prov 9:13 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 97.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
Proverbs 9:14
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:14 | The Instructor 3.11.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 9:14 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 9:14 | Confessions 3.11 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
Proverbs 9:15
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:15 | The Instructor 3.11.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
Proverbs 9:16
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:16 | The Instructor 3.11.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 9:16 | The Instructor 3.11.72 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 9:16 | Miscellanies 1.19.96 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 9:16 | On Genesis against the Manichaeans 2.27 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 388–390 |
| Prov 9:16 | Commonitory 21 · Vincent of Lérins | quotation, high confidence | 434 |
Proverbs 9:17
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
Proverbs 9:18
But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.