Proverbs Chapter 19 verse 22 Holy Bible
That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
read chapter 19 in ASV
The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.
read chapter 19 in BBE
The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.
read chapter 19 in DARBY
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
read chapter 19 in KJV
read chapter 19 in WBT
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
read chapter 19 in WEB
The desirableness of a man `is' his kindness, And better `is' the poor than a liar.
read chapter 19 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 22. - The desire of a man is his kind. nose. The Revised Version rather paraphrases the clause, The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness; i.e. the wish and intention to do good is that which gives its real value to an act. The word for "kindness" is chesed, "mercy;" and, looking to the context, we see the meaning of the maxim to be that a poor man's desire of aiding a distressed neighbour, even if he is unable to carry out his intention, is taken for the act of mercy. "The desire of a man" may signify a man's desirableness, that which makes him to be desired or loved; this is found in his liberality. But the former explanation is most suitable. Septuagint, "Mercifulness is a gain unto a man," which is like ver. 17; Vulgate, Homo indigens misericors est, taking a man's desire as evidenceing his need and poverty, and introducing the idea that the experience of misery conduces to pity, as says Dido (Virgil, 'AEn.,' 1:630) - "Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." A poor man is better than a liar. A poor man who gives to one in distress his sympathy and good wishes, even if he can afford no substantial aid, is better than a rich man who promises much and does nothing, or who falsely professes that he is unable to help (comp. Proverbs 3:27, 28). Septuagint, "A poor righteous man is better than a rich liar." A Buddhist maxim says, "Like a beautiful flower, full of colours, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly" (Max Muller).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(22) The desire of a man is his kindness--i.e., what makes a man desired or beloved is his kindness. Or, the kindness of a man consists in--is shewn by--his good-will, even though he cannot carry it out.And a poor man (who would do a kindness if he could) is better than a liar.--Than a rich man who could help another, but professes to be unable to do so.
