Proverbs 13:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

There is that maketh himself rich— See 2 Corinthians 6:10 where St. Paul says, We are as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. The literal sense of this verse seems to be, "There are those who are rich in their poverty, because they are content; desire nothing more, and use generously and charitably what they have; and there are others, who, in the midst of their riches, are really poor and in necessity, because of their insatiable covetousness or profusion." Some suppose the meaning to be, that there are those, who have the vanity to desire to appear rich, though they are poor; and others who make themselves poor, and would pass for such, though they have abundance. The Latins say well, Semper avarus eget. "The covetous man is always in want." See Calmet.

Proverbs 13:7

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.