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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 19:1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/19-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_19_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 19:1 - The Man of Integrity" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Better <i>is</i> the poor that walketh in his integrity, than <i>he that is</i> perverse in his lips, and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Better <i>is</i> the poor who walks in his integrity Than <i>one who is</i> perverse in his lips, and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a poor person who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a poor man who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's better to be poor and live right than to be a stupid liar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Better to be a poor person who lives innocently than to be one who talks dishonestly and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It is better to be poor but honest than to be a lying fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, "" Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse in his lips, who is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Good the poor one going in his integrity above the perverse of lips, and he foolish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Better to be poor and walk in integrity than rich and crooked in one’s ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Better the poor walking in integrity than one perverse of speech who is a fool.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />BETTER is the poor man who walks in his integrity than the rich man who is perverse in his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Better is the poor that walks in integrity than the rich that perverts his ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/19-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3694" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/19.htm">The Man of Integrity</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ- (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/7326.htm" title="7326: rāš (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be in want or poor. A primitive root; to be destitute.">a poor man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·w·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">who walks</a> <a href="/hebrew/8537.htm" title="8537: bə·ṯum·mōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- From tamam; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually innocence.">with integrity</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: ḵə·sîl (N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">than a fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: p̄ā·ṯāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">whose lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/6141.htm" title="6141: mê·‘iq·qêš (Prep-m:: Adj-msc) -- Twisted, perverted. From aqash; distorted; hence, false.">are perverse.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-5.htm">James 2:5</a></span><br />Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a></span><br />“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-20.htm">Luke 6:20</a></span><br />Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-6.htm">1 Timothy 6:6-10</a></span><br />Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-9.htm">James 1:9-10</a></span><br />The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. / But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-25</a></span><br />Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a></span><br />For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-11.htm">Philippians 4:11-12</a></span><br />I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Psalm 37:16</a></span><br />Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Proverbs 28:6</a></span><br />Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:13</a></span><br />Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">Psalm 119:1</a></span><br />Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Proverbs 15:16-17</a></span><br />Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. / Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.</p><p class="hdg">perverse</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-17.htm">1 Samuel 25:17,25</a></b></br> Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he <i>is such</i> a son of Belial, that <i>a man</i> cannot speak to him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3</a></b></br> For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-31.htm">Matthew 12:31-34</a></b></br> Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy <i>against</i> the <i>Holy</i> Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-6.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-7.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Integrity</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-20.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-23.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Integrity</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-4.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-11.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-7.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-4.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Life and Conduct</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical times, poverty was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor, yet this proverb challenges that notion by highlighting the moral superiority of the poor who maintain their integrity. Integrity, or moral uprightness, is a recurring theme in Proverbs (e.g., <a href="/proverbs/10-9.htm">Proverbs 10:9, 11</a>:3) and is highly valued in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word for "integrity" implies completeness and soundness, suggesting a life lived in accordance with God's laws. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the blessedness of the poor in spirit (<a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a>) and the importance of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>).<p><b>than a fool whose lips are perverse</b><br>The contrast here is with a "fool," a term frequently used in Proverbs to describe someone who rejects wisdom and moral instruction. The fool's "lips are perverse," indicating speech that is corrupt, deceitful, or morally twisted. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, speech was a powerful tool, and perverse speech was seen as a reflection of a corrupt heart (<a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Proverbs 4:24</a>, <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>). The fool's perverse lips can lead to personal ruin and social discord, as words have the power to build up or destroy (<a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a>). This phrase warns against the dangers of valuing wealth or status over righteousness, echoing the biblical principle that true wisdom and favor come from God, not from human approval or material success.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_poor_man.htm">The Poor Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who may lack material wealth but possess moral integrity and righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fool.htm">The Fool</a></b><br>Symbolizes those who lack wisdom and understanding, often characterized by moral and spiritual folly.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, emphasizing wisdom and moral living.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_community_of_believers.htm">The Community of Believers</a></b><br>The audience for whom the Proverbs were intended, both in ancient times and today, seeking guidance in righteous living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_integrity.htm">Value of Integrity</a></b><br>Integrity is a priceless virtue that surpasses material wealth. It is better to be poor and righteous than to be wealthy and morally corrupt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_perverse_speech.htm">The Danger of Perverse Speech</a></b><br>Words have power, and perverse speech can lead to destruction. We must guard our tongues and speak truthfully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_over_folly.htm">Wisdom Over Folly</a></b><br>True wisdom is demonstrated through righteous living and integrity, not through foolish and deceitful behavior.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_godliness.htm">Contentment in Godliness</a></b><br>Finding contentment in a life of integrity and godliness brings true satisfaction and peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Our focus should be on eternal values rather than temporary material gains, aligning our lives with God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_fellowship_boost_faith_community.htm">How can we distinguish good from evil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_phrase_'love_is_love'_accurate.htm">What defines a perverse mouth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_biblical_proverb.htm">What defines a biblical proverb?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'fear_of_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does 'Fear of the Lord' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">XIX.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Perverse in his lips.--</span>One who distorts the truth; translated "froward" in <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm" title="Put away from you a fraudulent mouth, and perverse lips put far from you.">Proverbs 4:24</a>. That a rich man is here intended appears likely from the parallel passage in <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm" title="Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.">Proverbs 28:6</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Better is the poor that walkth in his integrity.</span> The word for "poor" is, here and in vers. 7, 22, <span class="accented">rash</span>, 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 <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Proverbs 28:6</a> ("Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich"), would lead one to admit. The Vulgate accordingly has, <span class="accented">Quam dives torquem labia sua, et insipiens</span>, "Than a rich man who is of perverse lips and a fool." With this the Syriac partly agrees. So that, if we take this reading, the moralist says that the poor man who lives a guileless, innocent life, content with his lot, and using no wrong means to improve his fortunes, is happier and better than the rich man who is hypocritical in his words and deceives others, and has won his wealth by such means, thus proving himself to be a fool, a morally bad man. But if we content ourselves with the Hebrew text, we must find the antithesis in the simple, pious, poor man, contrasted with the arrogant rich man, who sneers at his poor neighbour as an inferior creature. The writer would seem to insinuate that there is a natural connection between poverty and integrity of life on the one hand, and wealth and folly on the other. He would assent to the sweeping assertion, <span class="accented">Omnis dives ant iniquus aut iniqui heres</span>, "Every rich man is either a rascal or a rascal's heir." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/19-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Better</span><br /><span class="heb">טֽוֹב־</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a poor man</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(rāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7326.htm">Strong's 7326: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be in want or poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who walks</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹלֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with integrity</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯum·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8537.htm">Strong's 8537: </a> </span><span class="str2">Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than a fool</span><br /><span class="heb">כְסִֽיל׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḵə·sîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose lips</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are perverse.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘iq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6141.htm">Strong's 6141: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twisted, perverted</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor who walks (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 18:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 19:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 19:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>