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Key Verse Spotlight

Proverbs 12:9 - Meaning and Application

Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today

Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition

" Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread. "

Proverbs 12:9

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7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

9 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

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Some people are foolish enough to want to look important in public, to demand respect, and to live like people of high rank. Yet at home they lack even basic needs, and if they paid their debts, they would have almost nothing left. They may even go without food so they can dress well and look impressive, because they think fine clothes make fine people.

It is much better to be content with a lower social place, even if others look down on plain clothes or a modest job, if that means a person can provide for the household. Such a person has not only bread, but also comfort and help at home, even a servant to share the work. People who live well and comfortably in their own house should be preferred over those who care most about appearing grand in public, while their hearts stay proud even though their condition is low.

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Related Verses

Sirach 10:27

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"Better is he who labors and abounds in all things, than he who boasts and lacks bread."

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Sirach 10:31

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"But he who is honored in poverty, how much more in riches? He who is dishonored in riches, how much more in poverty?"

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Proverbs 14:31

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"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him."

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Proverbs 19:1

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"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool."

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Psalms 37:16

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"Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked."

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Baruch 6:73

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"Better therefore is the just man who has no idols; for he will be far from reproach."

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Related verses from Bible Guided Semantic Search

From This Chapter

Proverbs 12:1

"Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

Proverbs 12:2

"A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans."

Proverbs 12:3

"A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved."

Proverbs 12:4

"A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones."

Proverbs 12:5

"The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful."

Proverbs 12:6

"The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them."

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