Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. He shalt not stand before mean men - חשכים chashukkim, dark or obscure persons; men of no repute. Na he schal ben before un-noble men - Old MS. Bible. "Not amonge the symple people." - Coverdale.
The general meaning of the proverb is, "Every diligent, active man, shall be at once independent and respectable."
Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].