Proverbs 19 · Verse 22

Proverbs 19:22

The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
Proverbs 19:22, King James Version

Proverbs 19:22 in other translations

BSBThe desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
WEBThat which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
ASVThat which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
YLTThe desirableness of a man is his kindness, And better is the poor than a liar.
DARBYThe charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.
BBEThe ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.
WebsterThe desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

What does Proverbs 19:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
22. desire--that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Pr 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 19:22 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

תַּאֲוַ֣תta.'a.Vat[is the] desire ofH8378
אָדָ֣ם'a.Dama personH120
חַסְדּ֑וֹchas.Doloyalty hisH2617
וְטֽוֹב\־ve.tov-and [is] goodH2896
רָ֝שׁrasha poor [person]H7326
מֵאִ֥ישׁme.'Ishmore than a person ofH376
כָּזָֽב\׃ka.ZavfalsehoodH3577

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 19:22

  • 2 Corinthians 8:12

    For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:8

    But the Lord said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

  • Mark 14:6-8

    And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

  • Mark 12:41-44

    And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

  • Proverbs 19:1

    Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

  • Titus 1:2

    In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

    How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

  • 1 Chronicles 29:2-3

    Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • Job 6:15

    My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

  • Job 17:5

    He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

  • Psalms 62:9

    Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
desire.
1Ch 29:2,3,17; 2Ch 6:8; Mr 12:41-44; 14:6-8; 2Co 8:2,3,12
and.
1; Job 6:15; 17:5; Ps 62:9; Tit 1:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 19:21

    There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

  • Proverbs 19:22

    The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

  • Proverbs 19:23

    The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Read all of Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Contentamiento es á los hombres hacer misericordia: pero mejor es el pobre que el mentiroso.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Ce qui attire dans un homme, c’est sa bonté; et le pauvre vaut mieux que l’homme menteur.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Die Willigkeit des Menschen macht seine Mildtätigkeit aus, und besser ein Armer als ein lügnerischer Mann.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Homo indigens misericors est, et melior est pauper quam vir mendax.