Proverbs 19:22

22 What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor man is better than a liar.

Proverbs 19:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:22

The desire of a man [is] his kindness
Either the grace and kindness of God, which is, desirable by every sensible man, as being most excellent, and better than life and anything in it; or it is his desire to show kindness. A good man is desirous of riches, that he might have it in the power of his hands to do good to others; and a beneficent man, who has it in his power, is desirous of an opportunity of showing kindness to his fellow creatures and friends; and such a disposition and conduct render a man very desirable and amiable; it is the beauty of a man, as Ben Melech; yea, a man that is not able to do a kindness to another, yet has a desire to do it, his good will is his kindness, and the will is taken for the deed. Gersom takes the word in the sense of "reproach", as it is sometimes used; and understands it of the sinful desires of the heart, the imaginations of the thoughts of the heart, which are evil continually, and so matter of reproach; and a poor man [is] better than a liar;
who is a rich man, as the Septuagint and Syriac versions add; who denies that he has ability to relieve the poor, when he has; or promises to do it, and does it not; such men of high degree are a lie indeed! and the poor man, whom he should relieve, is a better man than he; or that would relieve another, but it is not in his power to do it.

Proverbs 19:22 In-Context

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.
22 What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; and he who has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.