Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Parallel translations
- WEB Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- BSB Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
- NKJV Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
- NASB Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
- NLT Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Integrity in poverty is better than dishonest folly. Character matters more than wealth.
Overview
This proverb declares the poor person who walks in integrity better off than the perverse-lipped fool, even if the latter prospers. It reorders worldly values, prizing godly character above status and possessions. The theme recurs in Proverbs (cf. 28:6) and aligns with Jesus' teaching that gaining the world while losing one's soul profits nothing (Mark 8:36).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Prov 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
- Prov 16:8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
- Matt 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Prov 19:22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
- Prov 14:2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
- Prov 20:7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
- Prov 15:16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
- Isa 59:3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
- Jas 2:5–6Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
- Ps 37:26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
- Prov 12:26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
- Ps 26:11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
- 1 Sam 25:25Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
- Matt 12:31–34Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
- 1 Sam 25:17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 19:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.