Proverbs 16:8 - Exposition

Better is a little with righteousness ( Proverbs 15:16 ; Psalms 37:16 ). "Righteousness" may mean here a holy life or just dealing; as without right , or, with injustice, in the second clause, may refer either generally wickedness, or specially to fraud and oppression ( Jeremiah 22:13 ). Says Theognis—

βούλεο δ εὐσεβέων ὀλίγοις σὺν χρήμασιν οἰκεῖν ,

η πλουτεῖν ἀδίκως χρήματα πασάμενος .

"Wish thou with scanty means pious to live,

Rather than rich with large, ill-gotten wealth."

Another maxim says to the same effect—

λεπτῶς καλῶς ζῇν κρεῖσσον ἢ λαμπρῶς κακῶς .

Septuagint, "Better is small getting ( λῆψις ) with righteousness, than great revenues with iniquity" (see on Proverbs 15:29 ).