Solomon
Proverbs 19:1KJV·traditional attribution
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed
A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother. (q) That is, often such are found who are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty.
Commenting on Proverbs 19:1-6
Keil & Delitzsch Lutheran
Pro 19:1 The plur. רעים, Pro 18:24, is emphatic and equivalent to רעים רבּים. The group Pro 19:1-4 closes with a proverb which contains this catchword. The first proverb of the group comes by שׂפתיו into contact with Pro 18:20, the first proverb of the preceding group. 1 Better a poor man walking in his innocence, Than one with perverse lips, and so a fool.