The Writings of Saint Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland/Proverbs of Patrick

by Saint Patrick

 

II.—PROVERBS OF PATRICK.

HE following twelve sayings, styled Proverbia St. Patricii, are given by Villanueva (see Introduction, p. 12), as, according to Jocelin, having been translated into Latin from the Irish. All these 'sayings,' with others, are also given in Latin in the 'Extracts from the Irish Canons' in the Rolls Tripartite, p. 507 ff. Their authenticity is, however, somewhat questionable, although the Biblical quotations are curiously similar to those found in the genuine writings.

 

1. 'Patrick says: "It is better for us to admonish the negligent, that crimes may not abound, than to blame the things that have been done." Solomon says: "It is better to reprove than to be angry."'

The passage referred to is, however, not found in the Solomonic writings, but occurs in Ecclesiasticus (the Book of Jesus the Son of Sirach) xx. 1. The Latin, melius est arguere quam irasci, is different from the Vulg. and the Itala, quam bonum est arguere quam irasci.

2. 'Patrick says: "Judges of the Church ought not to have the fear of man, but the fear of God, because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. i. 7).'

3. 'Judges of the Church ought not to have the wisdom of this world, "for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God," but to have the "wisdom of God" (1 Cor. iii. 19; i. 21).'

4. 'Judges of the Church ought not to take gifts, because "gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and change the words of the just."'

The passage referred to is Ecclesiasticus xx. 31, but the quotation is not exact. The words quoted by Patrick are, munera excæcant oculos sapientium et mutant verba justorum. The Itala and Vulgate have: Xenia et dona excæcant oculos judicum, et quasi mutus in ore avertit correptiones corum, i.e., 'Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.' (Douay Version.) The rendering of the latter clause in the Douay Version is a paraphrase of the Latin and Greek.

5. 'Judges of the Church ought not to respect a person in judgment, "for there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom. ii. 11).'

6. 'Judges of the Church ought not to have worldly wisdom (cautelam sæcularem) but Divine examples (before them), for it does not become the servant of God to be crafty or cunning (cautum aut astutum).'

Villanueva explains cautela sæcularis as equivalent to the sapientia carnis, 'the wisdom of the flesh,' or 'carnal wisdom,' of Rom. viii. 7. Compare 1 Cor. iii. 19.

7. 'Judges of the Church ought not to be so swift in judgment until they know how too true it may be which is written, "Do not desire quickly to be a judge."'

The passage cited is Eccles. vii. 6. The quotation is slightly different from the Vulg. Patrick quotes the words, noli judex esse cito. The Itala and Vulg. have, noli quærere fieri iudex, 'Seek not to be made a judge.' (Douay Version.)

8. 'Judges of the Church ought not to be voluble.'

The doctrine of St. Patrick here is akin to that in James i. 19, 20.

9. 'Judges of the Church ought not to tell a lie, for a lie is a great crime.'

Compare John viii. 44; Eph. iv. 25; Rev. xxii. 15.

10. 'Judges of the Church ought to "judge just judgment," "for with whatever judgment they shall judge, it shall be judged to them."'

The first passage quoted is from John vii. 24. The second passage is from Matt. vii. 2. Patrick quotes the latter: in quocunque judicio judicaverint, judicabitur de illis. The Vulgate is, in quo enim judicio judicaveritis, judicabimini, 'for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged.' Similarly the Itala.

11. ' Patrick says: "Look into the examples of the elders, where you will find no guile."'

The Latin is: exempla majorum perquire ubi nihil fallaciæ invenies. By 'the elders' Villanueva considers Patrick means the saints, apostles, evangelists, and disciples of the Lord, and the fathers and doctors of the Church.

12. 'Patrick says: "Judges who do not judge rightly the judgments of the Church are not judges, but falsifiers (falsatores)."'