Proverbs 19:1
Proverbs 19:1 in Multiple Translations
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.
Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
Better is the poore that walketh in his vprightnes, then he that abuseth his lips, and is a foole.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise.
Conducting our lives as we should even though we are poor is better than being foolish and telling lies.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 19:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 19:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
טֽוֹב
רָ֭שׁ
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ
בְּ/תֻמּ֑/וֹ
מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו
וְ/ה֣וּא
כְסִֽיל
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
רָ֭שׁ
rûwsh
H7326
be poor
V-Qal
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal
בְּ/תֻמּ֑/וֹ
tôm
H8537
integrity
Prep | N-ms | Suff
מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ
ʻiqqêsh
H6141
twisted
Prep | Adj
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
וְ/ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
כְסִֽיל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
fool
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 19:1
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
רָ֭שׁ
rûwsh
H7326
"be poor"
V-Qal
To be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone who lacks material possessions or is in need, as seen in the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:42. This verb can also be used to describe someone who is spiritually poor or lacking.
Definition: 1) to be poor, be in want, lack 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be poor 1a2) to be in want or hunger 1a3) poor man (subst) 1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: lack, needy, (make self) poor (man). See also: 1 Samuel 18:23; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 34:11.
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
בְּ/תֻמּ֑/וֹ
tôm
H8537
"integrity"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word means being complete or having integrity, and is used to describe someone who is innocent and morally pure. In the Bible, it describes people who are full of integrity and live with simplicity. It is often translated as 'integrity' or 'upright'.
Definition: 1) integrity, completeness 1a) completeness, fulness 1b) innocence, simplicity 1c) integrity
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: full, integrity, perfect(-ion), simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See H8550 (תֻּמִּים). See also: Genesis 20:5; Psalms 26:11; Psalms 7:9.
מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ
ʻiqqêsh
H6141
"twisted"
Prep | Adj
The Hebrew word for something that is twisted or distorted, and can also refer to someone who is being false or perverse. It is used to describe something that is not straight or honest. The KJV translates it as crooked or froward.
Definition: twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: crooked, froward, perverse. See also: Deuteronomy 32:5; Proverbs 8:8; Psalms 18:27.
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
וְ/ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
כְסִֽיל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
"fool"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Definition: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish). See also: Psalms 49:11; Proverbs 19:13; Psalms 92:7.
Study Notes — Proverbs 19:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 19:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:1
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 19:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
- Sermons on Proverbs 19:1
Context — The Man of Integrity
1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. 3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:6 | Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. |
| 2 | Matthew 16:26 | What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? |
| 3 | Proverbs 16:8 | Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. |
| 4 | Proverbs 19:22 | The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. |
| 5 | Proverbs 20:7 | The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him. |
| 6 | Proverbs 15:16 | Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 7 | Proverbs 14:2 | He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. |
| 8 | James 2:5–6 | Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? |
| 9 | Isaiah 59:3 | For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. |
| 10 | Psalms 37:26 | They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing. |
Proverbs 19:1 Summary
Proverbs 19:1 is saying that it's better to be a poor person who tries to do the right thing than a rich person who lies and cheats. This is because God values honesty and integrity, as we see in Psalm 15:1-2, where it says that the person who may dwell on God's holy hill is the one who walks with integrity and does what is right. By prioritizing our relationship with God and living a life of integrity, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and purpose, even in difficult circumstances (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to walk with integrity in Proverbs 19:1?
Walking with integrity means living a life of moral uprightness and honesty, as seen in Psalm 26:1, where David says, 'Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity.'
Why is a poor man with integrity considered better than a rich fool?
This is because a person's character and relationship with God are more important than their wealth or status, as seen in Proverbs 28:6, which says, 'Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.'
What are perverse lips, and how do they relate to foolishness?
Perverse lips refer to speech that is deceitful, dishonest, or corrupt, which is a hallmark of foolishness, as seen in Proverbs 10:32, which says, 'The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.'
How can I apply the principle of Proverbs 19:1 to my own life?
You can apply this principle by prioritizing your relationship with God and living a life of integrity, honesty, and moral uprightness, as encouraged in Micah 6:8, which says, 'He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle to walk with integrity, and how can I ask God to help me in those areas?
- How do I prioritize my relationship with God when faced with difficult choices or temptations?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a heart of honesty and moral uprightness in my daily life?
- How can I balance the desire for financial security with the importance of living a life of integrity and faithfulness to God?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:1
Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity,.... In the uprightness of his heart before God and men; who is sincere in the worship of God, and in the profession of his name, and walks in all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Better (is) the poor that walketh in his integrity, than (he that is) perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
CHAPTER 19 That walketh in his integrity; who is upright in his words and actions. That is perverse in his lips; that useth to speak wickedly, which proceeds from a wicked heart, and is usually attended with an evil life. Is a fool; is a hypocrite, or a wicked man, for this is opposed to the upright man in the former clause; yea, though he be rich, which is implied from the same clause.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
Proverbs 19:1 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.Ver. 1. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity.] That poor but honest man, that speaks supplications, but abuseth not his lips to lewd and loose language, is better than that rich fool that answers him roughly and robustiously - as Nabal did David’ s messengers - and otherwise speaks ill, thinks worse. We usually call a poor man a "poor soul"; a poor soul may be a rich Christian, and a rich man may have a poor soul.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
XIX. (1) Perverse in his lips.—One who distorts the truth; translated “froward” in Proverbs 4:24. That a rich man is here intended appears likely from the parallel passage in Proverbs 28:6.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
CHAPTER XIX The worth of a poor upright man. Riches preserve friends. False witnesses. False friends. A king's wrath. The foolish son. The prudent wife. Slothfulness. Pity for the poor. The fear of the Lord.
The spendthrift son. Obedience to parents. NOTES ON CHAP. XIX Verse 1. Better is the poor] The upright poor man is always to be preferred to the rich or self-sufficient fool.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:1
1. a fool] We are left to read in the word rich, from the contrast implied by the parallelism: upright poverty is better than perverse folly, by whatever advantages of wealth, of birth, or of rank, it may be accompanied. The proverb recurs, with variations, Proverbs 28:6.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 19:1
The “perverse” man is the rich fool, as contrasted with the poor man who is upright. Proverbs 19:1-2 are missing in the Septuagint.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:1
1. Perverse in his lips — Crooked in speech; the opposite of straightforward, honest. Compare Proverbs 9:20; Proverbs 17:20. The fool here is generally supposed to be rich, but Zockler thinks otherwise. Compare Proverbs 28:6.
Sermons on Proverbs 19:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Moral Virtue's Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on moral virtues as he delves into Proverbs 19 verse 1. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity, stating that it is better |
|
Where Is the Fire? by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young man who came to his office. The young man had been in Nicaragua and witnessed the power of God there. He tells the speaker |
|
|
"Dow Jones and Revival" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the importance of Christians prioritizing the kingdom of God over worldly concerns, drawing a parallel between the focus on financial markets like the Dow Jo |
|
Finished With the World by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker expresses frustration and disappointment with the length and content of previous speakers at a gathering. He questions the prioritization of entertainme |
|
|
Strengthen Me Just Once - Alternate 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a genuine experience with God that requires sacrifice and dedication. He compares the pursuit of spiritual anointin |
|
What Does It Mean to Accept Christ - Part 2 by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a lawyer who was led to Jesus Christ. The lawyer credits his salvation not to the preacher's sermon, but to a conversation he had |
|
|
The End Times (Luke 17-26) - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker expresses his deep concern for the spiritual state of America and England. He references Matthew 11:20-21, where Jesus rebukes the cities of Khorazin an |