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What the Fathers say

Job 28:19

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it. Neither shall the purest dyes be brought into comparison. What do we take 'Ethiopia' for, save the present world, which same by darkness of hue denotes a sinning people in the foulness of its merits. But sometimes by the name of Ethiopia the Gentile world in a special manner is used to be denoted, as being before black by the sins of unbelief. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XVIII ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Thus he concludes that nothing can be compared to wisdom either by reason of value or by reason of concealment not even in the case of precious stones, and so he then says, "The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it," which "takes its name from the place of its discovery, or because it has a resemblance in color to gold." As to costly garments he then says, "nor are the most elegant dyed things," any sort of silk or wool cloth, "comparable to her," to wisdom.

Commentary on Job ↗