Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Proverbs 18:11

Western Saints

Bede

The wealth of the rich is his strong city, etc. Earthly wealth cannot always defend; indeed, many are captured or killed because of riches. Thus Ecclesiastes also says, Riches kept to the harm of their owner; for they perish in a terrible affliction. Therefore, it is better understood to praise the wealth of virtues, with which whoever abounds wards off all the plots of enemies as with an impregnable wall.

Commentary on Proverbs ↗

Bonaventure

The gift of fortitude is given by God protecting. For God protects us according to hierarchical ordering, fortifying us within and without. "The substance of the rich man is a city of strength and like a strong wall surrounding him." Fortitude is, as from a solid, sublime, and strong principle, from God; and the eternal God is the origin of fortitude in all things, because nothing is powerful nor strong except through the fortitude of the first principle.

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 5 ↗