Proverbs 18 · The Lantern

He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest against all sound wisdom.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may lay itself bare.

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

As to [the Arians'] blasphemous position that "the Son knows not the Father perfectly," we ought not to wonder at it; for having once set themselves to fight against Christ, they contradict even his express words, since he says, "As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father." Now if the Father knows the Son but in part, then it is evident that the Son does not know the Fat…

Believe this devoutly and firmly: God never abandons a person unless he himself has already deserted God. Although a person may have committed serious sins once, twice and a third time, God still looks for him, as he says through the prophet, "that by his conversion he may live." However, when he begins to continue in his sins, despair arises from the multitude of them, and har…

The impious are those who do not acknowledge divine piety. "But the impious man, when he has come into the depth of sins, shows contempt." The impious man is he who defends his own impiety, namely sin.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.

The name of HaShem is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility.

He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and confusion unto him.

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

David also speaks in the Psalms and says, "I made my iniquity known and did not cover my sin. I said, 'I will proclaim my injustice against myself,' and you have forgiven the impiety of my heart." You see, therefore, that "to proclaim the sin" is to deserve the forgiveness of sin. For the devil, having been anticipated in the accusation, will not be able to accuse us further.

Confess to the Lord, for he is good. And yet, even though heretics say that there is no repentance, still the prophet urges us to confess our sins. For God is good.

The just man is the first to accuse himself, etc. Everyone who is truly just, when he observes the errors of sinners, first turns the eye of consideration upon himself, and while he anxiously accuses his own frailty, only then does he gently extend his tongue to rebuke others.

The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Do you see the great strength which comes from concord? And do you see the great harm caused by contentiousness? A kingdom in revolt destroys itself. When two brothers are bound together and united into one, they are more unbreakable than any wall.

Truly spiritual affection is a strong city not able to be overcome or besieged by the devil either by undermining or by scaling.

A brother helped by a brother, etc. When both peoples, namely Jews and Gentiles, agree in fraternal charity in Christ, they now build a united city of the Catholic Church. And just as the bars fortify the gates of cities, so the doctrines of both Testaments defend the churches around the world, which make up the one Catholic Church, from the incursion of unbelievers.

A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of HaShem.

The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.

There are friends that one hath to his own hurt; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs18