The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 14:20
What does Proverbs 14:20 mean?
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Proverbs 14:20
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This verse isn't just stating a harsh reality; it's highlighting that the poor person is disliked "even by his own neighbor"—the one person most obligated by proximity and kinship to show them kindness. The text starkly contrasts this with the rich, whose "many friends" are often not true companions but admirers drawn only by wealth and the hope of personal gain.
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse paints a stark, often uncomfortable, picture of social reality where poverty leads to isolation, even from those closest by, while wealth attracts numerous hangers-on. It's important to see this observation not as an endorsement of such a mindset, but as a setup for a crucial corrective that follows in the next verse, which highlights true compassion and generosity.
Ever felt overlooked or invisible when you needed support the most? This verse offers a raw look at how society often treats those without material wealth.
Proverbs 14:20 doesn't hold back: the poor are often despised, even by those closest to them – their neighbors. This isn't a divine endorsement of this harsh reality, but a stark observation of human nature.
A Universal Observation
Think about it: when people lack resources, they can be pushed to the margins. Neighbors, who one might expect to offer comfort and aid, can sometimes turn away. This can be due to discomfort, a lack of resources themselves, or even a subconscious bias that associates poverty with failure or burden.
The Allure of Wealth
On the flip side, the rich are surrounded by 'friends.' But the commentary highlights a crucial distinction: are these true friends, or are they drawn to the wealth itself? Proverbs and other ancient wisdom writers often pointed out that many who flock to the wealthy are motivated by self-interest, seeking personal gain rather than genuine connection. This 'friendship' is often as fleeting as a summer breeze.
What does 'friendship' really mean? This verse forces us to question the motives behind the relationships we form, especially when wealth is involved.
Proverbs 14:20 points out that the rich 'hath many friends.' But as the ancient commentators observed, this is often a friendship of convenience, not of character.
The Shadow of Self-Interest
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Many of these 'friends' are not truly devoted to the rich person but to their riches. They are attracted by the potential for gain, the prestige, or the favors they might receive. This kind of relationship is transactional, lacking the genuine love and loyalty that define true biblical friendship.
The Deeper Issue
This isn't just a commentary on the rich; it's a reflection on a world often driven by self-interest. True friendship, the kind valued in Scripture, is about loyalty, sacrifice, and seeing the best in people, regardless of their bank account. The verse challenges us to examine our own motivations: are we drawn to people for who they are, or for what they can offer us?
Understand the original words
rash · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
The person who is in a state of financial, social, or spiritual lack. The Bible frequently emphasizes God’s concern for the poor and the responsibility of the community to treat them with justice and mercy.
ashir · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Refers to one who possesses material wealth. While wealth can be a blessing in the Bible, it is also a testing ground for character, often carrying the temptation of self-reliance rather than reliance on God.
This verse directly echoes Proverbs 14:20, stating 'An entire family may desert a poor relative, and neighbors avoid them too.' It reinforces the sad reality that even those closest to the poor often distance themselves.
Luke 16:14Jesus addresses the Pharisees' love of money, highlighting how wealth often attracts attention and supposed friends, much like Proverbs 14:20 observes. This connection reveals the corrupting influence of materialism on relationships.
Job 19:13-14Job laments how his afflictions have driven away even his closest family and friends, painting a picture of isolation that mirrors the experience of the poor described in Proverbs. It shows how misfortune can sever even deeply rooted bonds.
Ecclesiastes 4:11This passage speaks to the strength found in companionship, directly contrasting with the isolation felt by the poor in Proverbs 14:20. It highlights the value of true connection, which is often lacking when poverty strikes.
pulpitProverbs 14:20: "The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends."
Verse 20. - The poor is hated even of his own neighbour (Proverbs 19:4, 7). This sad experience of selfishness (comp. Ecclus. 6:8, etc.; 12:8) is corrected by the following verse, which must be taken in connection with this; at the same time, it is a truth which has been expressed in various ways by many moralists and satirists. Says the Greek Theognis - Πᾶς τις πλούσιον ἄνδρα τίει ἀτίει δὲ πενιχρόν.…
pooleProverbs 14:20: "The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends."
Is hated, i.e. despised and abandoned, as hateful persons and things are. His own neighbour; strictly so called, who is nearest to him, either by habitation or by relation, and therefore most obliged to love and help him.
This verse isn't just stating a harsh reality; it's highlighting that the poor person is disliked "even by his own neighbor"—the one person most obligated by proximity and kinship to show them kindness. The text starkly contrasts this with the rich, whose "many friends" are often not true companions but admirers drawn only by wealth and the hope of personal gain.
This verse paints a stark, often uncomfortable, picture of social reality where poverty leads to isolation, even from those closest by, while wealth attracts numerous hangers-on. It's important to see this observation not as an endorsement of such a mindset, but as a setup for a crucial corrective that follows in the next verse, which highlights true compassion and generosity.
This verse paints a stark, often uncomfortable, picture of social reality where poverty leads to isolation, even from those closest by, while wealth attracts numerous hangers-on. It's important to see this observation not as an endorsement of such a mindset, but as a setup for a crucial corrective that follows in the next verse, which highlights true compassion and generosity.
"The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends." — This verse isn't just stating a harsh reality; it's highlighting that the poor person is disliked "even by his own neighbor"—the one person most obligated by proximity and kinship to show them kindne…
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Last reviewed October 2026