The interpretation timeline

Sir 34:9

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 34:9 · Douay-Rheims

“What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.”

Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500

1274

A.D.

Bonaventure Medieval

c. A.D. 1221–1274

“"A man experienced in many things will know many things." Understanding which is the gateway of scientific considerations is partly from the frequency of experience. From many sensations arises one memory; from many memories arises one experience; from many experiences arises one universal, which is the principle of art and science.”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.