Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Proverbs 20:10

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

He who commands must always keep to the exact scope of the commandments, and he who distributes tasks must observe equity in looking into them, for "a false balance is an abomination to the Lord." There is, then, an excess and a defect in weight, but the church acccepts neither, for "excessive and defective weights and diverse measures, both of them are alike abominable in the sight of the Lord."

Concerning Widows 13:78 ↗

Bede

Diverse weights, diverse measures, etc. For a man with diverse weights in his house has different measures, that is he measures differently for himself and for his neighbor, who always seeks in his own deeds what can be praised, but in others' deeds what can be blamed. And therefore the Lord rightly abhors such a person, because as much as he unjustly pleases himself, he justly displeases the supreme observer. …

Commentary on Proverbs ↗

John Cassian

And the giver of the law similarly forbids the same thing, saying: "Let the balance be just and the weights equal, the bushel just and the sextarius equal," and Solomon also gives a like opinion on this matter: "Great and small weights and double measures are both unclean before the Lord, and one who uses them shall be hindered in his contrivances." Further not only in the way in which we have said, but also in this must we strive not to have unfair weights in our hearts, nor double measures in the storehouse of our conscience, i.e., …

Conference 21:22 ↗