Classic KJV - Proverbs 19:1

This proverb doesn’t say a poor man is better than a rich man, but that it’s better to be poor and honest, than rich and a liar. Dishonesty contaminates the goodness of wealth. In my long professional training, there may have been some vague suggestions like this, but I don’t believe any of my business professors ever explicitly taught this, ever said right out, “It’s better to lose your money than your integrity.” Sad.

Ethics Too Fluid

Perhaps my professors were afraid of moralizing. Perhaps that’s why ethics courses are so ineffective in many business schools—the moral teachings are not anchored in the timeless truths of the Bible. In an attempt to be fair to all belief systems (even those contradicting each other), ethics are not considered real truths, non-negotiable realities. Our standards flutter in the breeze of social popularity.

In contrast to ethical theories, real morals (the blueprint for healthy habits) are etched on the souls of everyone across the globe. Universally recognized morals are codified in the Bible and lived out completely in the life of Jesus Christ. Lying or distorting the truth may briefly bring wealth, but it’s not good wealth. We must be careful not to make inaccurate promises or representations about our products and services. False words get us into trouble, commercially and personally. This text is almost identical to Proverbs 28:6. Its first five Hebrew words are exactly the same; the difference comes with the sixth word—Proverbs 28:6 refers to crooked “ways;” Proverbs 19:1 refers to crooked “speech.”

Translation: Perverse

Unfortunately the NASB is erratic in its translation of the fifth word, since it uses “perverse” in Proverbs 19:1 and “crooked” in Proverbs 28:6. The KJV uses “perverse” in both, while the ESV uses “crooked” in both. The identical Hebrew word here, עקּש ('iq•qēš, pronounced “iq-qesh”) is used eleven times in the Bible, first in Deuteronomy 32:5. The perfection and righteousness of God is contrasted with Israel, a “perverse ('iq•qēš) and crooked generation.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) says that its Hebrew root “may be related to the Arabic word, 'a•qa•ṣa: ‘to twist her hair’ (a woman); as women braid and plait their hair, so people twist their ways.” Interesting.

Watch Your Words

Perverse speech brings to mind the “cinema” stereotype of native North Americans, meeting deceitful Europeans and saying, “White man speaks with forked tongue.” A snake’s forked tongue goes in two different directions at once. The words can’t be trusted. Business contracts or tax regulations that are complex and convoluted can reflect simply twisted or sloppy thinking, but this text warns against deliberate complexity and confusion, used as a mask for dishonesty. Needless complexity is not from God. Transparency is a virtue in business transactions—and in us. This is especially true when it comes to service fees. We all hate finding hidden fees, especially when they’re found too late to recover.

God’s ways are highly intricate, yet simple: Detailed in ruling our complexity, but simple in their loving purpose. In his love, God’s ways are absolutely consistent. In dealing with each of us, His works are straightforward. I appreciate the observation of Albert Einstein who, with his great intellect, saw clearly that the basic laws and constants of the universe are “beautifully simple.”

Translation: Fool

The Hebrew word for “fool” here, כּסיל (kesîl, pronounced “kě-seel”), is used seventy times in the Bible, but strangely, only in the books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. “Kesîl” is derived from the Hebrew word כּסל (kā•săl, pronounced “kah-sal”), used only in Jeremiah 10:8 to describe idol worshippers, “altogether stupid and foolish (kā•săl) in their discipline of delusion—their idol is wood.”

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) says that its Arabic cognate “seems to have an original meaning ‘to be sluggish,’ referring to that which is ‘thick, plump or fat.’ Perhaps there’s an implication about “fatness” and wealth: When wealth is accompanied by luxurious dining, apparel, and mansions, that may be a sign that the wealth was not won by honest labour, but by dishonest words. Poverty from laziness is shameful, but wealth from dishonesty is not the solution.

The TWOT goes on to say, “There are three Hebrew words rendered as ‘fool’ in Proverbs. The Hebrew word kesîl refers to the dull or obstinate one, not to mental deficiency, but to a propensity to make wrong choices. The Hebrew word אויל (ʼevîl, pronounced “ě-veel’) refers to moral insolence, and the Hebrew word נבל (nā•ḇāl, pronounced “nah-vahl”) refers to the ‘boorish man of mean disposition.’”

Intelligent Fools

So in this text, the fool (kesîl) does not lack mental ability, but moral convictions and healthy, responsible habits, in commerce and friendship. Such a fool may not respond to reasoned argument and personal appeals, but may need some other form of correction. Over time, as the fool’s character becomes known, this necessary correction will surely include being shunned and exiled from productive collaborations and good fellowship. Over time, this correction could include fines and imprisonment.

Walking in integrity is not a matter of intelligence (IQ), but morality (MQ) and character. Intelligence does not determine integrity any more than colour determines sound. Complexity is often a cover for dishonesty, but while complexity may be a sign of intelligence, it’s not a sign of wisdom. Criminals can be highly intelligent, but void of integrity, and there are a lot of unhappy criminals. Our happiness is not a function of our intelligence, but a function of our characters.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus said, “Let your statement be ‘yes, yes or no, no’ and anything beyond this is of evil,” Matthew 5:37.

Jesus commanded his followers to talk straight with no embellishments or caveats. Yet Jesus also said, “Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves,” Matthew 10:16.

In other words, Jesus knew that those who represent the light would not be popular in a dark world. They would need to choose their words carefully, honestly, but carefully.