Proverbs 19:6 - Exposition

Many will intreat the favour of the prince ; Literally, will stroke the face of the prince, of the liberal and powerful man, in expectation of receiving some benefit from him ( Proverbs 29:26 ; Job 11:19 ). Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts (see on Proverbs 17:8 ). The LXX ; reading כָל־הְרֵעַ for בָל־הָּרֵעַ , renders, "Every bad man is a reproach to a man," which may mean that a sordid, evil man brings only disgrace on himself; or that, while many truckle to and try to win the interest of a prince, bad courtiers bring on him not glory, but infamy and shame.