Proverbs 19:22 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The desire of a man is his kindness— This will admit of several interpretations. The LXX read, Alms-giving, or charity, bringeth fruit to a man; and a poor just man is better than a rich man who is a liar. Le Clerc gives this meaning of the first clause, That there is no virtue which a man should labour after more than beneficence, as it is the greater ornament of human nature, and the bond of society. But if we consider it as connected with the verse following, the most natural construction seems to be this, "A man shews his kindness by his will or desire to do good; and in this respect a poor man, who would be beneficent if he could, is better than a liar; i.e. a rich man who makes a profession of kindness, but does not perform it." The Syriac reads, A poor man is better than a deceitful rich one. See Grey.