On Proverbs
In Proverbia
Eustathius of Antioch (fl. c. 320–337) is the author of these pieces on Proverbs.
Wisdom as Christ through wine bread prudence and merchandise§1
Eustathius opens his commentary on Proverbs by identifying the wine and bread as representations of Christ's bodily members, and by naming Christ as Wisdom whose visible image is prudence and whose merchandise is to be embraced above all.
1Through wine and bread Proverbs proclaims the representations of Christ's bodily members.
It calls Christ Wisdom, depicting her visible image as visible prudence and indicating that her merchandise is to be embraced above all things.
No form of wickedness or craftiness that opposes her has any power.
For it cries out with good report, presenting to those who love her a clear sign of recognition: she is well-known to all, and every precious thing is not worthy of her.
Greek · §1
The Greek is on each section page: §1
The general and the charioteer of the passions§2
Eustathius is contrasting a military general who captures a city once with the person who must continually rule the passions throughout life.
2A general captures a city once and then orders it as he pleases. But the charioteer of the passions must keep bringing them into subjection for as long as he lives. The internal enemy is altogether harder to face than the enemy outside. The man who has sacked a city is free from care afterward, but the one who faces an unceasing enemy must keep struggling. To master anger, then, is a great achievement, and a great victory over the spirit of anger.
Greek · §2
The Greek is on each section page: §2
Evil desire as prostitute drowning the mind§3
Eustathius continues his commentary by explaining that the prostitute in Proverbs signifies evil desire, which overwhelms the mind like a pilot in a storm and drives it toward wicked action.
3Not only has it been said concerning a prostitute, but also concerning evil desire. For when the mind sets itself toward wicked action, then the heart meditates the crooked things which the mouth speaks. For then the mind will be as in the heart of the sea, by the brine of its many thoughts.
Greek · §3
The Greek is on each section page: §3
The mind drowned by evil desire§4
Eustathius is closing his comment on the prostitute passage, explaining that it also describes evil desire overwhelming the mind.
4The mind is overwhelmed like a pilot in a heavy swell. Driven by the waves of evil desire, it struggles in anguish as it is forced toward the wicked act.
Greek · §4
The Greek is on each section page: §4