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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:1

Here see, 1. What will be the credit and comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may dispirit him. Let him be honest and walk in integrity, let him keep a good conscience and make it appear that he does so, let him always speak and act with sincerity when he is under the greatest temptations to dissemble and break his word, and then let him value himself upon that, for all wise and good men will value him. He is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:1

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity ,.... In the uprightness of his heart before God and men; who is sincere in the worship of God, and in the profession of his name, and walks in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; and is upright, harmless, and inoffensive in his conversation with men; and studies to exercise a conscience void of offence to both, and continues herein. A man may be a poor man with respect to worldly things, and yet be rich towards God;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:1

Better is the poor - The upright poor man is always to be preferred to the rich or self-sufficient fool. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:1

Better is the poor that walkth in his integrity. The word for "poor" is, here and in Proverbs 19:7 , Proverbs 19:22 , rash, which signifies "poor" in opposition to "rich." In the present reading of the second clause, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool, there seems to be a failure in antithesis, unless we can understand the fool as a rich fool. This, the repetition of the maxim in Proverbs 28:6 ("Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich"), would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:1

Poverty and integrity I. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR POVERTY TO BE FOUND WITH INTEGRITY . We do not always see integrity leading to wealth. Circumstances may not open up an opportunity for attaining worldly prosperity. Illicit "short cuts" to riches may be within the reach of a person who refuses to use them on grounds of principle. A man may be honest and yet incapable, or he may refuse to pursue his own advantage, preferring to devote his energies to some higher end. No one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:1-7

The lowly and gentle life He who is truly humble before his God will be sweet, kind, and peaceable in his relations to men. I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THIS LIFE . ( Proverbs 19:1-3 .) 1 . It is the life of innocence, in the seeking to have a conscience "void of offence toward God and toward men." This makes poverty rich and privation blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is for such. The consciousness of being dear to God is the true wealth of the soul; the sense of being... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 19:1-2

Proverbs 19:1-2. Better is the poor Hebrew, רשׁ , a poor man; that walketh in his integrity Who is upright in his words and actions; he has a better character, is in a better condition, is more beloved, lives to better purpose, and is greater and more excellent in the eyes of God, and of all wise and good men; than he that is perverse in his lips Who is in the habit of uttering sinful and mischievous expressions, however high he may be in rank, wealth, or dignity. Also, that the soul... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:1-29

Lessons heeded and ignored (19:1-29)Moral uprightness is more important than wealth, and wise action is more important than hasty action. People are foolish when they blame God for the trouble they bring upon themselves through their own mistakes (19:1-3).Often the reason the rich have many friends is that these ‘friends’ hope to gain personally from their wealth or influence (4-6). The poor lose their friends, though in a sense they are rich if they maintain their understanding (7-8). People... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 19:1

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 . the poor = a needy one. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . Same as in verses: Proverbs 19:7 , Proverbs 19:22 ; not the same as in verses: Proverbs 19:4 , Proverbs 19:17 . he that is. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), better supplied thus: "Than [the rich that is] perverse", &c. lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is spoken by them. fool. Hebrew. kesil . See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Same word as in verses: Proverbs... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 19:1

Proverbs 19:1"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.""Better a poor man who lives virtuously than a dissembler who is rich."[1] read more

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