For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
It's better to be told 'Come up and sit in a higher place' than to be embarrassed by being moved to a lower seat in front of a ruler you can see.
This verse is teaching that it's wiser to take a humble position and be invited up than to assume a high position and risk being publicly embarrassed.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb reflects ancient Near Eastern court customs where seating arrangements at royal banquets indicated social status and honor. In Solomon's time, being seated closer to the king showed greater favor, while being moved to a lower position was a public humiliation. The wisdom literature often used such social situations to teach broader principles about humility and pride.
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