Catena Fidei

Sirach 2:5 (WEB)
For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

Fathers and councils · 5

John Cassian, Conferences I–X VII.25Conference VII
“And again: “Like as silver and gold are tried in the furnace, so the Lord chooseth the hearts;” And again: “The fire tries gold and silver; but man is tried in the furnace of humiliation;” and this also: “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”” — editor's note: Is. i. 25, 26; Prov. xvii. 3 (LXX.); Ecclus. ii. 5; Heb. xii. 6.
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Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 119
“…to himself; but when each man is humbled by some tribulation or mortification which his pride deserved; or when he is exercised and proved by endurance; whence a little after this Psalm saith, “Before I was troubled, I went wrong.”…And the Lord Jesus, when He foretold that this humiliation would be brought upon…” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 4, 5.
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Augustine of Hippo, On Patience Chapter 11
“For in the fire gold and silver is proved, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1–5
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Cyprian of Carthage, On the Advantage of Patience
“…the righteous is proved by his patience, as it is written: “In pain endure, and in thy low estate have patience; for gold and silver are tried in the fire.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 4, 5.
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Cyprian of Carthage, On the Mortality
“And again: “In pain endure, and in thy humility have patience; for gold and silver is tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 5.
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