5. Concerning Proverbs.

D. Which kind is the proverbial? M. A certain figurative manner of speaking, saying one thing, meaning another, and giving advice in present time.

[2] D. In which books is this kind received? M. In two, Solomon's book of Proverbs and the book of Jesus, grandson of Sirach. D. Is no other book put under this kind? M. Certain people add the so-called book of Wisdom and the Song of Songs.

[3] D. Do other kinds occur also in these books? M. Plain teaching alone occurs, but not principally, except for an explanation or recommendation of proverbs, as, "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prv 9:10).

[4] D. What does the proverbial share with the other kinds? M. It has in common with prophecy the fact that on the surface it seems difficult, although very often it is not difficult to understand.

[5] D. What does the proverbial kind have as its own? M. The fact that neither history nor prophecy is mixed with it; and it alone is that which is so understood that the surface meaning of the words so to speak is done away with.

[6] D. Why in this kind alone have we been allowed to consider not the text of the Scripture itself but the sense, although in the other three kinds we admit allegory so mystically that it is necessary to show the reliability of the narrative? M. Because if we are willing to accept allegory thus everywhere beyond the proverbial kind, with the result that the accuracy of the narrative is lessened, we afford an opportunity to our enemies of interpreting the divine books just as they wish.

[7] D. In how many ways is allegory recognized in divine law? M. Four: either (1) according to transferral, or metaphor, for example, "Angry is the Lord" (Ex 4:14) and "He came down" (Gn 11:5), and similar things which, to insert causes unobtrusively, are transferred to God from human emotions; or (2) according to vivid imagery, or hypotyposis, for example, in the Gospel, "A certain man was coming down from Jerusalem to Jericho" (Lk 10:30), and again, the parable of the vineyard and the vinedressers (Mk 12:1-9). For the arrangement of the things which were being carried out is reported by Christ, complete, for example, with the representation of character and of another's business. Or (3) according to comparison, or simile, as he says, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed" (Lk 13:19), etc. For it is not a narrative, as is written in the above example, but the effects are merely compared to the causes. Or (4) according to the proverbial mode, for example, "Drink water from your own vessels, and from your own cistern, and from your own wells" (Prv 5:15), since Scripture means to give a hint that carnal concupiscence should be held in check within the license of marriage.