Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 7:19

Western Saints

Jerome

"It is good that you should take hold of this, and do not withdraw your hand; for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. "It is good to do good to righteous men, but also being kind to sinners is not wicked. It is good to keep slaves faithful to you, but it is advised to do this only with those who seek your employment. Even he who fears God and copies his maker, who causes rain to fall over both the righteous and the wicked, enjoys doing good to all without distinction. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes ↗

Bonaventure

Likewise, the fruit of wisdom is born of the last four by contrast. Corresponding to this fruit, there are four acts, for wisdom is comforting, struggling, contemplating, and extolling. It comforts the good: "Wisdom is a better defense for the wise man than would be ten princes in the city." It is also struggling, against evil: "Better is wisdom than weapons of war." Again, Wisdom "gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome and know that wisdom is mightier than all." It is also contemplating the Supreme Good: "For she is …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 18 ↗