English Standard Version
Proverbs 12:9
9Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
Proverbs 12:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
- New International Version (NIV)Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
Context of Proverbs 12:9
7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:9 word by word
ט֣וֹב נִ֭קְלֶה וְעֶ֣בֶד ל֑וֹ מִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד וַחֲסַר־לָֽחֶם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:9
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9What is real matters more than how things look.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. despised--held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Is 3:5). hath a servant--implying some means of honest living. honoureth himself--is self-conceited.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries