Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
A poor man who walks in uprightness, honesty and integrity is better and better off than a man who is perverse in his ways though he be rich, whose ways are crooked and corrupt. Uprightness matters more than wealth, so the upright poor stands higher than the wealthy crooked. Wealth does not outweigh integrity, and honesty is better than riches joined to crookedness. This holds for those who grow rich through religious work yet despise poorer men who expose their hypocrisy, for the upright poor may have clearer understanding than the rich who reject correction.
Integrity is better than wealth gained through dishonest dealing, and it is better to have little and act honestly than to gain wealth through dishonesty. In business, honest conduct brings contentment, trustworthy customers and lasting success. By contrast the rich but dishonest merchant loses his customers and falls into debt. When a prize is at stake, the same rule means choosing honesty even though deception could win the prize, as when Johnnie chose honesty and Arthur held to honest dealing.
A poor man who walks in uprightness, honesty and integrity is better and better off than a man who is perverse in his ways though he be rich, whose ways are crooked and corrupt. Uprightness matters more than wealth, so the upright poor stands higher than the wealthy crooked. Wealth does not outweigh integrity, and honesty is better than riches joined to crookedness. This holds for those who grow rich through religious work yet despise poorer men who expose their hypocrisy, for the upright poor may have clearer understanding than the rich who reject correction.
Integrity is better than wealth gained through dishonest dealing, and it is better to have little and act honestly than to gain wealth through dishonesty. In business, honest conduct brings contentment, trustworthy customers and lasting success. By contrast the rich but dishonest merchant loses his customers and falls into debt. When a prize is at stake, the same rule means choosing honesty even though deception could win the prize, as when Johnnie chose honesty and Arthur held to honest dealing.