Provérbios 18
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Provérbios 18:3
"When the godless fall to the depths of evil, they lose all sense of respect." It is a terrible thing, you see, dearly beloved, a terrible thing to fall into the clutches of the devil. I mean, the soul then, as though caught in a net, and like a boar trapped in the mire, is likewise caught up in pleasure and, swept along by its evil habits, it loses all sense of the foul odor of its sins. Consequently, we must be awake and on our guard so as never to allow the evil demon any entrance at the outset, lest he cloud our reasoning, blind the sharp vision of our mind, and thus as if robbing us of sunlight render us unable to see the rays of the sun of justice and cause us to fall into the abyss. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 22:12
Provérbios 18:4
"The word in the heart of man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth." By "deep water" he [Solomon] means "abundant" water which can often produce many rivers instead of one. Or, he says: it contains it deeply hidden in itself. As water is immeasurable, so the word in the heart of the person who lives according to God is without limit. Therefore, he uses "word" for knowledge. This is the one in whose heart a fountain of water is made when he hears the words of Jesus. He [Solomon] then speaks of it "springing forth," raining upon or watering the fields which makes them fertile. — COMMENTARY ON THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, FRAGMENT 18:4
Provérbios 18:5
"It is not good to admire those who are impious," even though one of them has an important position or covers up what is right with persuasive speech. To admire the behavior of the impious is to sanction iniquity inspired by the devil. — COMMENTARY ON THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, FRAGMENT 18:5
Provérbios 18:17
You see, when Cain was asked by the Lord, "Where is your brother Abel?" that was the time for him to confess his fault, fall on his knees, pray and ask pardon. At that point, however, he rejected the healing, whereas now, after the sentence, after all was over, after the accusation was leveled at him in a loud voice by the blood that had been shed, he made his confession only to gain nothing from it. That is why the inspired author also said, "He who accuses himself at the beginning of the speech is in the right." Accordingly, had Cain anticipated the Lord's accusation, perhaps he would have been granted some mercy on account of the Lord's unlimited goodness. I mean, there is no sin, no matter how grave, that can exceed his mercy provided we demonstrate our repentance at the proper time and beg pardon. "Cain said, 'My guilt is too great for me to be forgiven"—an adequate confession, but too late. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 19:14
Provérbios 18:17
When you commit sin, do not wait for another man to accuse you but, before you are accused and indicted, you yourself had best condemn what you have done. Then, if someone accuses you later on, it is no longer a matter of your doing the right thing in confessing but of your correcting the accusation which he makes. And so it is that someone else has said, "The just man begins his speech by accusing himself." So it is not a question of accusing but of being the first to accuse yourself and not waiting for others to accuse you.Peter certainly sinned gravely in denying Christ. But he was quick to remind himself of his sin and, before anyone accused him, he told of his error and wept bitterly. He so effectively washed away his sin of denial that he became the chief of the apostles, and the whole world was entrusted to him. — DISCOURSES AGAINST JUDAIZING CHRISTIANS 8:3.3-4
Provérbios 18:19
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. — DISCOURSES AGAINST JUDAIZING CHRISTIANS 3:1.3
Provérbios 18:19
"A brother helped by his brother is like a fortified and elevated city: and is as strong as a well fortified palace of kings." The disciples of Christ were of the same mind, like brothers, and were fortified like a royal palace surrounded by many walls as they helped each other. They were firm in their unity, and their mutual aid made them stronger and stronger. — COMMENTARY ON THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, FRAGMENT 18:19
Provérbios 18:21
Christ makes the same point when he says, "By your own words you will be condemned, and by your words you will be justified."The tongue stands in the middle ready for either use; you are its master. So also does a sword lie in the middle; if you use it against the enemy, it becomes an instrument for your safety; if you use it to wound yourself, it is not the steel but your own transgression of the law that causes your death. Let us think of the tongue in the same way, as a sword lying in the middle. Sharpen it to accuse yourself of your own sins, but do not use it to wound your brother. Hence, God has surrounded the tongue with a double wall—with the barrier of the teeth and the fence of the lips—in order that it may not easily and heedlessly utter words it should not speak. — BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 9:33-35