Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Proverbs 6:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

For example; the ant is industrious, and performs a laborious task. By giving heed then, thou wilt receive the strongest admonition from this animal not to indulge in sloth, nor to shun labour and toil. Therefore also the Scripture has sent the sluggard to the ant, saying, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, emulate his ways, and be wiser than he." Art thou unwilling, he means, to learn from the Scriptures, that it is good to labour, and that he who will not work, neither ought he to eat? learn it from the irrationals! …

Homilies Concerning The Statues 12:5 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

There is the busy ant to rouse the indolent and sluggish; for when a man spends an idle youth, then he is instructed by the irrational creatures, being chided by the sacred Scripture, which says, "Go to the ant, O sluggard, and considering her ways, emulate her and become wiser than she." For when you observe [the ant] treasuring up food for itself in good season, imitate it, and treasure up for yourself the fruits of good works for the world to come. …

Catechetical Lecture 9:13 ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Scripture says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard, and become wiser than he." The ant at the time of harvest lays up an ample and varied store of food against the threat of winter. "Or go to the bee and learn her diligence." For she feeds over the whole meadow to produce a single honeycomb.

The Stromata Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Construct also hives for bees, for to these the proverbs of Solomon send you, and you may learn from the tiny creatures how to order a monastery and to discipline a kingdom.

Letter 125.11 ↗