What does Proverbs 29:4 mean?

Scripture indicates that corruption and justice are entirely incompatible (Proverbs 15:27; 17:23; 29:7). A king—or any government—who rightly applies justice contributes to his kingdom's stability and peace. However, greedy leaders who accept bribes and other forms of corruption make the nation unstable. A nation ruled by selfish, greedy people is prone to collapse. The Hebrew phrasing here implies something like taxes, or extorted fees, further underlining the idea of immoral government leaders.

Solomon was a just king under whose reign the kingdom prospered and was peaceful. His son Rehoboam convened a council of old men and asked for their advice. They told him to be a servant to the people and speak good words to them. But he rejected their advice and summoned young men for advice. They told him to add to the burden Solomon had imposed on them. They told him to tell the people, "My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions" (1 Kings 12:10–11).