9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
Proverbs 12:9
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 10:26–28
26 Don’t flaunt your wisdom in doing your work. Don’t boast in the time of your distress. (WEB) 27 Better is he who labors and abounds in all things, than he who boasts and lacks bread. (WEB) 28 My son, glorify your soul in humility, and ascribe to yourself honor according to your… (WEB)
Sirach 29:21–23
21 The essentials of life are water, bread, a garment, and a house for privacy. (WEB) 22 Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs than sumptuous fare in another man’s house. (WEB) 23 With little or with much, be well satisfied. (WEB)
Proverbs 16:18–20
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Proverbs 19:9–11
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. 10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 15:15–17
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
Proverbs 19:1–2
1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
Proverbs 28:5–7
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. 6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. 7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Sirach 10:30–31
30 A poor man is honored for his knowledge. A rich man is honored for his riches. (WEB) 31 But he who is honored in poverty, how much more in riches? He who is dishonored in riches, how much more in poverty? (WEB)
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