Proverbs 16:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A small amount earned through moral conduct is preferable to wealth gained unjustly.
The Context of Proverbs 16:8
Proverbs values integrity in livelihood over the pursuit of riches by any means.
What Does Proverbs 16:8 Mean?
This is a choice between two kinds of wealth: modest abundance ('a little') paired with 'righteousness'—living justly and morally—versus 'great revenues' (substantial income) obtained 'without right' (through dishonest or unjust means). The proverb declares the first option 'better,' establishing that the quality of how wealth is obtained matters more than its quantity.
The preference for modest righteous income reflects a hierarchy of values: integrity and moral standing are worth more than material accumulation through wrongdoing. This is not a statement that poverty is virtuous, but rather that the means by which one obtains resources reflects one's character, and character is more valuable than stuff. A person with little who lives justly has something fundamentally better than someone with much who obtained it wrongly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 16:8
What does Proverbs 16:8 mean?
A small amount earned through moral conduct is preferable to wealth gained unjustly.
What is the context of Proverbs 16:8?
Proverbs values integrity in livelihood over the pursuit of riches by any means.