Translation commentary on Proverbs 28:6

This saying affirms that honest poverty is better than dishonest wealth.

“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity”: This line is identical with 19.1a. See there for comments.

“Than a rich man who is perverse in his ways”: This line is a variant of 19.1b. There it is the “fool” who is said to be “perverse in his speech.” For “rich” see 14.20. “Perverse in his ways” means he has a devious or crooked character.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 28:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 28:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “A poor person who can be trusted is better
    than a rich person who is rude/arrogant.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “It is better to be a person who is poor and good
    than to be a person who is rich and bad.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Better a poor-one who lives without blame/fault than a wealthy-one whose ways are not right.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Better is the poor-person who has no reason-to-be-criticized than the rich-person whose behavior is crooked.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “It is better to be honest even though you are poor
    than to be dishonest even though you are rich.” (Source: Translation for Translators)