The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 16:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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).

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