Proverbs 19:4

4 Wealthy people are always finding more friends, but the poor lose all theirs.

Proverbs 19:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:4

Wealth maketh many friends
Or "adds" F6; it increases the number of them: so the poet F7, "donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos"; and to this agrees what the wise man says, ( Proverbs 14:20 ) ; but the poor is separated from his neighbour;
or "friend" F8; he will not visit him as he did in his prosperity, nor suffer him to come into his house or company, or come near him; he is separated from his affection, friendship, and presence: so another poet F9,

``if thou art rich, thou wilt have many friends; but, if poor, few.''

FOOTNOTES:

F6 (Pyoy) . "addit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F7 Ovid.
F8 (wherm) "ab amico sua", Pagninus, Montanus, Baynus, Junius & Tremeliius, Piscator, Michaelis; "a sodali sua", Schultens.
F9 Theognis.

Proverbs 19:4 In-Context

2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good. If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.
3 People's own foolishness ruins their lives, but in their minds they blame the Lord.
4 Wealthy people are always finding more friends, but the poor lose all theirs.
5 A witness who lies will not go free; liars will never escape.
6 Many people want to please a leader, and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.