12:9 A number of proverbs have this form of direct comparison using the “better . . . than” formula (15:16, 17; 16:8, 19, 32; 17:1, 12; 19:1).

to be lowly. A person of no social standing or reputation.

have a servant. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) renders this phrase, “who works for himself.” The meaning is either, “Better humble prosperity than poverty concealed by pretense,” or, “Better to work without esteem than to go hungry while dreaming of affluence.”