Proverbs 16:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Here, 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich),?that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, Prov. 30:9; yet not an invincible one),?and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them. 2. It is maintained that a small... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness ,.... Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world's goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right ; obtained... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

Thought, action, prayer It may be said that the three main elements of human experience are those of thinking, of acting, and of praying. We have not done our best until we have done all of these. I. THOUGHT . "The preparations of the heart belong to man" (Revised Version). "Thy thoughts" ("thy purposes," Revised Version). We are told of Peter, after the denial, that "when he thought thereon, he wept" ( Mark 14:72 ). But if he had thought beforehand what grief he would cause his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4-9

The administration of rewards and punishments I. THE MORAL DESIGNS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:4 .) The creation is teleological ; it has a beginning, a process, and an end in view, all determined by the will and wisdom of God. If this is true of every plant, of every mollusc, it is true of every man. We are formed to illustrate his praise. Disobedience, with its consequences, ratifies his just and holy laws. II. THE MORAL FEELINGS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:5 .)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness ( Proverbs 15:16 ; Psalms 37:16 ). "Righteousness" may mean here a holy life or just dealing; as without right , or, with injustice, in the second clause, may refer either generally wickedness, or specially to fraud and oppression ( Jeremiah 22:13 ). Says Theognis— βούλεο δ εὐσεβέων ὀλίγοις σὺν χρήμασιν οἰκεῖν , η πλουτεῖν ἀδίκως χρήματα πασάμενος . "Wish thou with scanty means pious to live, Rather than rich with... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:8

Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little, &c. A small estate, honestly gotten and usefully employed, is much to be preferred before vast incomes, gathered by oppression, and kept without the exercise of mercy and charity. This was, in effect, said before, Proverbs 15:16, (where see the note,) and is here repeated, partly because of the great importance and usefulness of this truth, and partly because men are very hardly brought to a serious belief of it. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Laying plans and making decisions (16:1-33)A person may make plans, but God is the one who determines their outcome. He knows the person’s unseen motives and controls events according to his purposes. It is important, therefore, always to bring God into one’s planning (16:1-4). God punishes the arrogant but has mercy on those who fear him (5-6). He protects them from harm and guides them on the right pathway (7-9).When a king’s wisdom comes from God, his decisions will be right. He will show no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 16:8

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 16:8

"Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues, with injustice."Many of the proverbs touch this admonition that men should be satisfied with `little,' and that they should restrain their greed for more. "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 16:8

8. (Compare Proverbs 15:6; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:17). read more

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