Ancient Wisdom for a Sustainable Future: Proverbs and the Foundations of Integral Ecology

Abstract

The global pursuit of sustainable development, increasingly articulated through the holistic lens of integral ecology, demands integrative models that harmonise environmental, economic, social, and ethical imperatives. While this interdisciplinary call is modern, its foundations are deeply ancient. This paper argues that the Book of Proverbs provides a profound premodern blueprint for this project, weaving together threads of righteous governance, economic equity, ecological attentiveness, and social justice into a vision of societal well-being termed Shalom. By analysing its teachings on poverty, wealth, and creation, this study demonstrates how Proverbs fosters a truly integral ecology: one where justice for the marginalised is inseparable from a reverent understanding of humanity’s place within the natural order. Consequently, this paper contends that the biblical wisdom tradition is not merely relevant but is essential to contemporary sustainability discourse. It offers a time-tested, culturally resonant framework that can motivate ethical action and provide a holistic paradigm for achieving the intertwined goals of peace, justice,
and ecological sustainability.