◄ Proverbs 12:9 ►
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
Treasury of Scripture

he that is or rather, as in the old translation 'He that is despised, and is his own servant, is better than he that boasteth himself and wanteth bread;' with which the versions generally agree. That is, it is better to be in lowness and obscurity, and to support oneself by manual labour, than to want the necessaries of life, through a foolish vanity, or with the pride of birth, which refuses to labour.

despised

Proverbs 13:7 There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

Luke 14:11 For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge

1Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish. 2A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread. 10A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding. 12The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him. 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise. 16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame. 17He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 25Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad. 26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them. 27The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Parallel Verses
American Standard Version
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.

Darby Bible Translation
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

King James Bible
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Young's Literal Translation
Better is the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.

Proverbs 12:8
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