Fulgentius of Ruspe

In his own words on Proverbs

• Proverbs 1:8-9

  The church is not truly called the "pillar and foundation of truth" if it is found unsound in the most basic mystery of human salvation. But because it is truly called the "pillar and foundation of truth" by the apostle, whatever according to the canons of the church itself is given and received within it, among the holy mysteries of human redemption and reconciliation, is given with firm truth and received with firm truth.It is so commanded in Proverbs: "Hear, my child, your father's instruction and do not reject your mother's teaching," so that we may never reject the general canons of holy mother the church, that is, those which the most harmonious assent of all the bishops confirms.

  LETTER TO FERRANDUS 12:21-22

• Proverbs 3:7

  If there are any who are even in the catholic church and live evil lives, before they finish this life, let them hasten to give up the evil life, and let them not think that the catholic name is enough for salvation, if they do not do the will of God.… In Proverbs each one of us is commanded both to fear the Lord and to depart from evil. There it is said, "Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body."

  ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS 1:26.2

• Proverbs 8:7

  "For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips." Therefore, they who do not hold the truth of the faith in heart and mouth do not receive salvation in baptism. Because of this, although they have the appearance of piety which consists in the sacrament of baptism, by refusing the power of piety they receive neither life nor salvation.

  LETTER 7

• Proverbs 11:31

  Conversion from both impiety and iniquity is commanded. For both provoke the wrath of God against one, because God detests and condemns both, as Paul says, "The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and human wickedness." And Solomon says, as the blessed Peter had also inserted among his own words, "And if the righteous one is barely saved, when will the godless and the sinner appear?"

  ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS 1:13.1

• Proverbs 18:3

  The proud and recalcitrant who despair of the forgiveness of sins repudiate forgiveness. Not only do they with pitiable blindness reject the care for their own salvation, but they also do not rest from upsetting other faithful souls with deadly words, if they are unable to pervert them. Often, either the frightfulness of their sins or the length of a wicked life takes away from them the hope of salvation and drives them to perpetrate even worse things in such a way that in such people that statement of holy Scripture is fulfilled: "When wickedness comes, contempt comes also."

  LETTER TO VENANTIA 3