Proverbs 19:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

NIV: Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

NASB: Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

CSB: Better a poor person who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

NLT: Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.

KJV: Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

NKJV: Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Personal integrity has no price; it is more valuable than any financial gain. References to "crooked speech" (Proverbs 4:24; 6:12) imply something manipulative, immoral, or deceptive. The book of Proverbs notes that godly wisdom gives a person a better likelihood of earthly success (Proverbs 1:7; 3:1–4; 13:21), yet it does not claim that honesty is an invincible strategy for prosperity. In a corrupt world, diligent, honest, hardworking people can sometimes fall into some combination of poverty or persecution (1 Peter 3:17; John 16:33). This proverb notes that unfortunate truth, while also indicating that wealth is never worth immorality to obtain.

Many first-century Christians were poor due to persecution, but the Lord did not forsake them. Today, too, through no fault of their own, many Christians are poor but not abandoned by the Lord. Hebrews 13:5 counsels: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" The verse that follows testifies: "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

Proverbs 19:1–7 includes references that contrast the value of integrity with that of earthly wealth. To be moral is more honorable, and more valuable, than to be rich. At the same time, the world has an unfortunate habit of fawning over the rich, while sneering at the poor. True friends are those who remain loyal even when money is gone. Those who are immoral should expect consequences. Yet fools often blame God when they suffer for their own choices.

Several themes are associated with these statements. Among them are the idea that personal integrity is worth much more than earthly wealth or success. Solomon discusses the unfortunate habit of favoring the rich and dismissing the poor, while commending those who care for the unfortunate. Many references are made to the consequences of foolish behavior, including the shame and punishment such things can bring.

This series of proverbs is part of Solomon's writing on wisdom (Proverbs 10:1), a long chain continuing into chapter 22. As do other segments, this speaks on the harsh realities of poverty, the need for integrity, the dangers of laziness, the value of loving discipline, and the consequences of acting foolishly.

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.