Proverbs 28:6

6 Better to be poor and live an honest life than be crooked in one's ways, though rich.

Proverbs 28:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:6

Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness
(See Gill on Proverbs 19:1); than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich;
or, "in [his] two ways" ^F3: that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to the one, to the right hand, and sometimes to the other, to the left hand; or that pretends to the one, and walks in the other; would be thought to be a virtuous and religious man, and to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth, when he walks in those of sin and wickedness. And now a poor man that walks evenly and uprightly, according to the word of God and truth of the Gospel, in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, and in the paths of faith and holiness, is better than he; more honourable, more comfortable, and happy in life and in death; he has grace now, and will have glory hereafter.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Mykrd) Heb. "duabus viis", Piscator, Cocceius; "pervertens duas vias", Baynus; "duplici via", Michaelis; "gemina via", Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 28:6 In-Context

4 Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked, but those who keep Torah fight them.

5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek ADONAI understand everything.

6 Better to be poor and live an honest life than be crooked in one's ways, though rich.

7 A wise son observes Torah, but a friend of those lacking restraint shames his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by charging exorbitant interest amasses it for someone who will bestow it on the poor.