Proverbs 17:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

NIV: Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

NASB: Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

CSB: Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.

NLT: Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting — and conflict.

KJV: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

NKJV: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

This reiterates two values: being content and prioritizing spiritual concerns over material wealth. The New Testament points out that being content in a godly life is admirable (1 Timothy 6:6; Hebrews 13:5–6). This also repeats the sentiments of earlier proverbs (Proverbs 15:16–17). A humble, peaceful life makes a person happier than an opulent lifestyle full of angst and conflict. The phrasing used here is meant to contrast foods like bread crusts with roasted meats.

The English proverb "money can't buy happiness" reflects the fact that even married couples who dine at expensive restaurants can live unhappy lives and have unhappy relationships. When a marriage is grounded in material wealth and comfort, rather than on godliness and cooperation, tensions can run high. Arguments are sure to break out in any marriage, but when the home is focused on money, there is less common ground to overcome those disagreements. Couples who wear themselves out at work, trying to maintain an artificially high standard of living experience physical and emotional exhaustion.

Of course, some need to work hard just to maintain a simple life—even then, it's possible to appreciate harmony and love in a godly home. Peace—the "quietness" that contrasts with "strife"—is more valuable than material goods or fancy food.

Proverbs 17:1–6 underscores the value of virtues such as contentedness, honesty, and family harmony. Solomon again emphasizes that God knows the secrets of each person's heart. The Lord plans retribution for those who mock the poor or wish for evil to happen to others.

This portion of Solomon's wise sayings involves several recurring themes. Among these are the importance of controlling one's words: hasty or spiteful language can do great harm. He also notes how wisdom and foolishness tend to be self-perpetuating. Wise people seek wisdom, foolish people seem immune to it. Other important topics are the impact of ungodly children on a family and the value of integrity and common sense.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.