Proverbs 28:6

6 Better is a poor man going in his simpleness, than a rich man in [his] shrewd ways. (Better is a poor person going in his honesty, or in his integrity, than a rich person in all his depraved ways.)

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 They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man; they that keep the law, be kindled, or stirred [up], against him. (They who desert the law, praise the wicked; they who keep the law, be kindled, or stirred up, against them.)

5 Wicked men think not on doom; but they that seek the Lord, perceive all things. (The wicked do not think about justice; but they who seek the Lord, understand everything about it/understand it well.)

6 Better is a poor man going in his simpleness, than a rich man in [his] shrewd ways. (Better is a poor person going in his honesty, or in his integrity, than a rich person in all his depraved ways.)

7 He that keepeth the law, is a wise son; but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8 He that gathereth together riches by usuries, and free(ly) (made) increases, gathereth those together against poor men. (He who gathereth together riches from high interest rates, and exorbitant increases, gathereth them together for him who will give them to the poor.)