The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Poor people have to beg and plead for help, but rich people respond harshly and rudely.
This verse observes how poverty forces people to humble themselves and ask for help, while wealth often makes people respond without kindness or compassion.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb reflects the social realities of ancient Israel, where economic inequality created stark differences in how people interacted. The poor had little power and had to appeal humbly to those with resources, while the wealthy often held positions of authority and could afford to be dismissive. Solomon, who likely wrote or compiled many of these proverbs, would have observed these dynamics in his royal court and throughout his kingdom.
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