Proverbs 16:19 (YLT)

Passage

Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:17 A highway of the upright <FI>is<Fi> , `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

Proverbs 16:18 Before destruction <FI>is<Fi> pride, And before stumbling--a haughty spirit.'

Proverbs 16:19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

Proverbs 16:21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "better", "humility", "poor", "than", "apportion", "spoil", and "proud". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "better", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 18's "Before destruction FI is Fi pride And..." into verse 20's "The wise in any matter findeth good...", so "Spirit" and "better" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "better" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.