What does “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” mean?

This line says that having a good reputation is better than having a lot of money. A “good name” means people know you as honest, kind, and faithful. It points to how God sees you and how others can trust you. Riches can be lost quickly, but a clean name and a life of integrity stay with you. The verse also links a good name with “loving favour,” meaning the warm respect and goodwill of others is worth more than silver and gold.

How can “the rich and poor meet together” if their lives are so different?

When it says the rich and poor meet together, it reminds us that both groups live in the same world and depend on each other. Business, work, and daily life bring them into contact. But the main point is that “the Lord is the maker of them all.” Whatever their money level, God made them, sees them, and will judge how they act. This keeps the rich from pride and harshness, and helps the poor remember that their worth does not come from money but from God.

What does “train up a child in the way he should go” teach about parenting?

This verse calls parents to shape a child’s path early. Training means more than words; it is steady teaching, correction, and example, guiding the child toward what is right before God. “The way he should go” points to a path of wisdom, obedience, and reverence for the Lord. The promise that “when he is old, he will not depart from it” shows the lasting force of early training. Even if a child wanders, that early shaping can draw them back later in life.

What does it mean that “the borrower is servant to the lender”?

This picture is very down to earth. When you borrow, you put yourself under the power of the one who lends. You owe them, and that debt can guide your choices and limit your freedom. The verse is not banning all lending, but it warns that debt creates a real kind of slavery. The wise person avoids careless borrowing and does not rush into being a guarantor for others, because it can end with even basic things, like your bed, taken to pay what you owe.

How does this passage view generosity toward the poor?

The sayings in this passage speak warmly of generosity. The one with a “bountiful eye” is someone who looks kindly on others and is ready to share. This person is called blessed, because they give from their own bread to the poor. Another verse warns not to rob the poor or oppress the afflicted, because the Lord himself will take up their case and punish those who wrong them. So care for the poor is not optional; it is part of fearing God and walking wisely.

Why are there warnings about angry people and scorners?

The passage warns, “Make no friendship with an angry man,” because spending time with someone ruled by rage will shape you. You can copy their bad habits and fall into the same traps. It also says to cast out the scorner so that contention and strife will stop. A scorner mocks what is right and stirs up conflict. These sayings teach that character is contagious. If you keep close company with people who love peace and purity, your own heart and speech will move in that direction.

What does this teach about laziness and making excuses?

The lazy person in this passage says, “There is a lion outside, I shall be slain in the streets.” This is a silly excuse, not a real danger. It shows how laziness invents reasons to avoid work or duty. Instead of facing normal risks, the slothful person chooses fear and comfort and then misses out on the fruit of steady work. Elsewhere in the chapter, diligence is praised: the person careful in their business will stand before important people. So hard work and honesty are linked with honour.

Why does it say the mouth of strange women is a deep pit?

This picture warns about sexual temptation. “Strange women” here means those who invite someone into unfaithful or forbidden relationships. Their “mouth” points to flattering, seductive words that draw someone in. Calling it a “deep pit” shows that once a person falls in, it is very hard to get out. The verse also says that those who fall into this have already turned away from God, and he lets them go on to this trap. It is a call to flee such paths early and guard the heart.

How can I apply these sayings about wisdom, money, and relationships today?

You can start by asking what you value more: a clean name before God and people, or more money. Choose honesty, even if it costs you. Be careful with debt, since it can quietly rule your life. Be generous to those in need, knowing God cares for them. Guard your close friendships, staying away from constant anger and scorn. If you are a parent or guide to children, be steady in teaching them what is right. Above all, seek humility and the fear of the Lord in every choice.

Prov.22.1

Proverbs 22:1

Q: What is meant by “by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life”?

This line links our inner posture before God with the outcomes of life. Humility means knowing our smallness and sin before God, not bragging or trusting ourselves. The fear of the Lord is a deep respect that leads to obeying him. Together, they form the root of wisdom. The verse says that from this root come riches, honour, and life. These can include both spiritual and earthly good, as God sees best. The point is that blessing grows from a humble, God-fearing heart.

KJV

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

A Good Name

1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Saying 2

22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23 For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Saying 3

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Saying 4

26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Saying 5

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Saying 6

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.