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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 12:9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/12-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_12_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 12:9 - Loving Discipline and Knowledge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/12-8.htm" title="Proverbs 12:8">◄</a> Proverbs 12:9 <a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm" title="Proverbs 12:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.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/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>He that is</i> despised, and hath a servant, <i>is</i> better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Better <i>is the one</i> who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant, than to act important but have no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant, than to act important but have no food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's better to be ordinary and have only one servant than to think you are somebody and starve to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Better to be unimportant and have a slave than to act important and have nothing to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It's better to be unimportant, yet have a servant, than to pretend to be important, but lack food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoreth himself, and is destitute of bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better [is] the lightly esteemed who has a servant, "" Than the self-honored who lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better is the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He is good being despised, and a servant to him above him, honoring himself, and wanting bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Better to be slighted and have a servant than put on airs and lack bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Better to be despised and have a servant, than to be self-important and lack food.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Better is a poor man who serves himself than one who is proud and yet lacks bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Better is a poor man who waits on himself than one who boasts and lacks bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/12-9.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=2201" 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/12.htm">Loving Discipline and Knowledge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/7034.htm" title="7034: niq·leh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be lightly esteemed or dishonored. A primitive root; to be light, but figuratively, only (causatively, hold) in contempt).">to be lightly esteemed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: wə·‘e·ḇeḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">yet have a servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: mim·mə·ṯak·kab·bêḏ (Prep-m:: V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">than to be self-important</a> <a href="/hebrew/2638.htm" title="2638: wa·ḥă·sar- (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Needy, lacking, in want of. From chacer; lacking; hence, without.">but lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.…<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="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Proverbs 13:7</a></span><br />One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Proverbs 15:16</a></span><br />Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Proverbs 16:8</a></span><br />Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1</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="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Proverbs 19:22</a></span><br />The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:6</a></span><br />Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:9</a></span><br />Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Isaiah 32:6-8</a></span><br />For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. / The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. / But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/45-5.htm">Jeremiah 45:5</a></span><br />But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I will bring disaster on every living creature, declares the LORD, but wherever you go, I will grant your life as a spoil of war.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a></span><br />For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-11.htm">Luke 14:11</a></span><br />For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.</p><p class="hdg">despised</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Proverbs 13:7</a></b></br> There is that maketh himself rich, yet <i>hath</i> nothing: <i>there is</i> that maketh himself poor, yet <i>hath</i> great riches.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/14-11.htm">Luke 14:11</a></b></br> For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-8.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/psalms/141-8.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/job/23-12.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-14.htm">High</a> <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Honoreth</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Honors</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm">Honoureth</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-2.htm">Humble</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Lightly</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-9.htm">Low</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Need</a> <a href="/james/3-8.htm">Nobody</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-12.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">Playeth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">Plays</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Position</a> <a href="/psalms/81-15.htm">Pretend</a> <a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-29.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-17.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/psalms/135-2.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-16.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">High</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Honoreth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Honors</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Honoureth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Humble</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Lightly</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-33.htm">Low</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-18.htm">Need</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Nobody</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-33.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-44.htm">Playeth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-34.htm">Plays</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Position</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Pretend</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-27.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/luke/8-46.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the value of humility and practical provision over social status. In ancient Israel, having a servant indicated a certain level of wealth and stability. The cultural context suggests that being "lightly esteemed" refers to not seeking or receiving high social recognition or honor. The Bible often highlights humility as a virtue, as seen in passages like <a href="/james/4-10.htm">James 4:10</a>, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." The presence of a servant implies that one's basic needs are met, which is more valuable than mere reputation.<p><b>than to be self-important but lack food</b><br>This part contrasts the previous phrase by highlighting the folly of pride and self-importance when it leads to a lack of basic necessities. In biblical times, food scarcity was a significant concern, and lacking food would indicate poverty or mismanagement. The warning against pride is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a>, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The emphasis is on the practical over the superficial, aligning with Jesus' teachings in <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a>, where He advises seeking God's kingdom over worrying about material needs. This phrase serves as a reminder that true wisdom values substance over appearance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into daily living and moral conduct.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where social status and wealth were significant aspects of society.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/servant.htm">Servant</a></b><br>In the context of this proverb, a servant represents a sign of modest wealth and the ability to provide for oneself and others.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/true_value_over_appearance.htm">True Value Over Appearance</a></b><br>The proverb teaches that it is better to have modest means and be able to provide for oneself than to project an image of importance without substance. This challenges the cultural emphasis on appearances and encourages a focus on genuine provision and humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_contentment.htm">Humility and Contentment</a></b><br>Emphasizing humility, this verse encourages believers to find contentment in what they have rather than seeking validation through status or possessions. It reminds us that self-importance can lead to emptiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_stewardship.htm">Practical Stewardship</a></b><br>The mention of having a servant implies responsible stewardship of resources. Believers are encouraged to manage their resources wisely, ensuring they can meet their needs and those of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/warning_against_pride.htm">Warning Against Pride</a></b><br>The proverb serves as a warning against pride and the pursuit of status. It encourages believers to evaluate their motivations and ensure they align with godly values rather than societal pressures.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_records_support_humility_over_wealth_in_israel.htm">Proverbs 12:9 implies it’s better to be humble with modest means than to pretend wealth, yet do historical or archaeological records support such an ethos in ancient Israelite society? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_1914_key_to_jehovah's_witnesses.htm">When is it appropriate to love or hate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_devout_people_die_young.htm">Proverbs 10:27 asserts fearing the Lord prolongs life--what about devout people who die young or suffer terminal illnesses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_9_12_fit_a_loving_god.htm">Psalm 9:12 suggests God avenges bloodshed; how does this align with the concept of a loving God, especially in light of contradictory examples throughout history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">He that is despised.</span>--That is, lowly in his eyes and those of others, as David (<a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm" title="And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seems it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?">1Samuel 18:23</a>); if "he hath a servant," that is, if he be in easy circumstances. It has been remarked that "the first necessity of an Oriental in only moderate circumstances is a slave."<p><span class= "bld">He that honoureth himself.</span>--Boasts of his pedigree, it may be, and is all the while starving.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - This verse may be translated, <span class="accented">Better is a man who is lightly esteemed and hath a slave, than he that boasts himself and lacketh bread</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the man who is thought little of by his fellows, and is lowly in his own eyes, if he have a slave to minister to his wants (which all Orientals of even moderate wealth possess), is better off than one who boasts of his rank and family, and is all the while on the verge of starvation. "Respectful mediocrity is better than boastful poverty." Ecclus. 10:27, "Better is he that laboreth and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread." But the words rendered, <span class="cmt_word">hath a slave,</span> are literally, <span class="accented">a servant to himself.</span> So the Vulgate has, <span class="accented">sufficiens sibi</span>, "sufficing himself," and the Septuagint, <span class="greek">δουλεύων</span> <span class="greek">ἑαυτῷ</span>, "serving himself." And the expression implies attending to his own concerns, supplying his own wants. Hence the gnome means, "It is wiser to look after one's own business and provide for one's own necessities, even if thereby he meets with contempt and detraction, than to be in real want, and all the time assuming the airs of a rich and prosperous man." This latter explanation seems most suitable, as it is not at all clear that, at the time the book was written, the Israelites of moderate fortune kept slaves, and the proverb would lose its force if they did not do so. Says a mediaeval jingle - <p><span class="foreign">"Nobilitas morum plus ornat quam genitorum."</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/12-9.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">ט֣וֹב</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">to be lightly esteemed,</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֭קְלֶה</span> <span class="translit">(niq·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7034.htm">Strong's 7034: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be lightly esteemed or dishonored</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet have a servant,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֶ֣בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than to be self-important</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד</span> <span class="translit">(mim·mə·ṯak·kab·bêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but lack</span><br /><span class="heb">וַחֲסַר־</span> <span class="translit">(wa·ḥă·sar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2638.htm">Strong's 2638: </a> </span><span class="str2">Needy, lacking, in want of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽחֶם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/12-9.htm">Proverbs 12:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed (Prov. 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