Proverbs 4:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.
Douay-Rheims

מִֽכָּל־מִ֭שְׁמָר נְצֹ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ תּוֹצְא֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Nikolaj Velimirovic

20th centuryChurch Father

A good man brings forth good out of the good treasure of his heart, and an evil man brings forth evil out of his evil treasure (Matt. 12:35). These are the words of the Lord, Who fills the treasury of our heart with His treasures. What is the 'good man'? That is the good treasure of the heart. What is the 'evil man'? That is the evil treasure of the heart.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Luke 6:45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matt 12:34O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matt 12:35A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mark 7:21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mark 7:23All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Ps 139 (138):23
Ps 139 (138):24
Prov 13:3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.