--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better is the man of humble standing that…" description: "\"Better is the man of humble standing that works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.\" — Solomon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg" --- # Better is the man of humble standing that works for… ![“Better is the man of humble standing that works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.” quote by Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg) > “Better is the man of humble standing that works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.” [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A modest, self-reliant person is superior to a pretender who lacks basic sustenance. **In simple terms:** Humility and self-sufficiency beat false grandeur. Key Takeaway Value humility and personal effort. Themes humility self-reliance authenticity Mood reflective serious Type moral advice When to use this quote - career building - financial independence - personal development - leadership - social status Key Concepts biblical wisdom moral teaching Questions to Reflect On - How does humility affect personal success? - When is self-reliance insufficient? A Different Perspective Even humble people may lack resources; humility alone doesn't guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) [Bread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [He man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-man/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Humble Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble-standing-6149639/) [Man Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-humble-414934/) [Man Lacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-lacks-1080176/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/standing/) ## Related quotes > [Come, Friend, you too must die. Why moan about it so? 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And look, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/come-friend-you-too-must-die-why-moan-about-it-so-even-patroclus-died/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“A man who eats his words is a man who lacks what it takes to speak his piece in this day and age, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/a-man-who-eats-his-words-is-a-man-who-lacks-what-it-takes-to-speak/) [Anyaele Sam Chiyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anyaele-sam-chiyson/) > [It is hardly possible to estimate how many marriages fail to prosper or are actually ruined because the man lacks any inkling of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-graf-keyserling/it-is-hardly-possible-to-estimate-how-many-marriages-fail-to-prosper/) [Hermann Graf Keyserling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-graf-keyserling/) > [“The zipper displaces the button, and a man lacks that much time to think while dressing at dawn...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-zipper-displaces-the-button-and-a-man-lacks-that-much-time-to/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man still lacks depth perception.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-whitworth/in-the-land-of-the-blind-the-one-eyed-man-still-lacks-depth-perception/) [Mike Whitworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-whitworth/) > [Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/just-because-a-man-lacks-the-use-of-his-eyes-doesn-t-mean-he-lacks/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [The really poor man is not the one who lacks money, but the one who lacks the joy of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinmayananda-saraswati/the-really-poor-man-is-not-the-one-who-lacks-money-but-the-one-who/) [Chinmayananda Saraswati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinmayananda-saraswati/) > [The zipper displaces the button and a man lacks just that much time to think while dressing at dawn, a philosophical hour, and thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-zipper-displaces-the-button-and-a-man-lacks-just-that-much-time/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-man-who-lacks-reliability-is-utterly-useless/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [You can tell a lot about what a man lacks by watching what he is cynical about, and many of us are cynical about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-shain/you-can-tell-a-lot-about-what-a-man-lacks-by-watching-what-he-is/) [Merle Shain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-shain/) > [“Success shuns the man who lacks ideas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-shuns-the-man-who-lacks-ideas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The wholly manly man lacks the wit necessary to give objective form to his soaring and secret dreams, and the wholly womanly woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-wholly-manly-man-lacks-the-wit-necessary-to-give-objective-form/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [“In the world of the blind, the one-eyed man still lacks depth perception.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-whitworth/in-the-world-of-the-blind-the-one-eyed-man-still-lacks-depth/) [Mike Whitworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-whitworth/) > [Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/humility-does-not-mean-weakness-it-does-not-mean-timidity-it-does-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/remember-this-all-the-sighing-mourning-sobbing-and-complaining-in-the/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) ## More by Solomon > [That, who keeps his mouth, keeps his Soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/that-who-keeps-his-mouth-keeps-his-soul/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/what-has-been-will-be-again-what-has-been-done-will-be-done-again/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/answer-a-fool-according-to-his-folly-lest-he-be-wise-in-his-own-eyes/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/then-the-dust-will-return-to-the-earth-as-it-was-and-the-spirit-will/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/lazy-hands-make-a-man-poor-but-diligent-hands-bring-wealth/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/better-is-a-dinner-of-herbs-where-love-is-than-a-fattened-ox-and/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [To gain riches is wise; to pay for riches with happiness is foolish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/to-gain-riches-is-wise-to-pay-for-riches-with-happiness-is-foolish/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/whoever-stubbornly-refuses-to-accept-criticism-will-suddenly-be/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Love is strong as the Death; jealousies are as cruel as the tomb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/love-is-strong-as-the-death-jealousies-are-as-cruel-as-the-tomb/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [A good name is better than precious ointment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/a-good-name-is-better-than-precious-ointment/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [The man who walks with wise men becomes wise himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/the-man-who-walks-with-wise-men-becomes-wise-himself/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [There is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/there-is-a-time-to-weep-and-a-time-to-laugh-a-time-to-mourn-and-a/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. \[Therefore do not compare your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/jealousy-is-cruel-as-the-grave-the-coals-thereof-are-coals-of-fire/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [The rich is the one that rules over those of little means, and the borrower is servant to the man doing the lending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/the-rich-is-the-one-that-rules-over-those-of-little-means-and-the/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) [Explore all 72 Solomon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) ## More Better man quotes > [If I were a boy, I think I could understand how it feels to love a girl..I swear I'll be a better man :-/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-were-a-boy-i-think-i-could-understand-how-it-feels-to-love-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I should've been a better man instead of wasting my time spending my life searching for the finer things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/i-should-ve-been-a-better-man-instead-of-wasting-my-time-spending-my/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [“I think so. You’re saying that God’s putting me through this fire so He can make me a better man.” “Yes. The problem is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-h-westall/i-think-so-you-re-saying-that-god-s-putting-me-through-this-fire-so/) [Jennifer H. Westall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-h-westall/) > [“The knuckles of his hand that had Shaw's name inked across them caught my eye. I pointed to them. "You have her with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/the-knuckles-of-his-hand-that-had-shaw-s-name-inked-across-them/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“I've had recurring nightmares that I was loved for who I am...and missed the opportunity to be a better man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muse/i-ve-had-recurring-nightmares-that-i-was-loved-for-who-i-am-and/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muse/) > [I shall state silences more competently than ever a better man spangled the butterflies of vertigo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/i-shall-state-silences-more-competently-than-ever-a-better-man/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [“That morning, lying with the woman I loved, a silent promise was formed in my head. I was going to be a better man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/that-morning-lying-with-the-woman-i-loved-a-silent-promise-was-formed/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [I'm better than your next man and if you're swingin' like you're dumber than the next man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-better-than-your-next-man-and-if-you-re-swingin-like-you-re/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [He’s playing every bit as hard as I am, only he knows what he’s doing and I don’t. Don’t blame me because he’s a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/he-s-playing-every-bit-as-hard-as-i-am-only-he-knows-what-he-s-doing/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Gentlemen, Admiral Lord Nelson wrote, of the officers aft on the quarterdeck and the seamen of the fo’c’sle: ‘Aft the most honour—forward the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-stockwin/gentlemen-admiral-lord-nelson-wrote-of-the-officers-aft-on-the/) [Julian Stockwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-stockwin/) > [“But both courses are to be avoided; you should not copy the bad simply because they are many, nor should you hate the many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/but-both-courses-are-to-be-avoided-you-should-not-copy-the-bad-simply/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“Any thought that you are better or less Than another man Quickly Breaks the wine Glass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ladinsky/any-thought-that-you-are-better-or-less-than-another-man-quickly/) [Daniel Ladinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ladinsky/) > [Remember 'beauty is in GODS EYES' YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL, but only you control your health, I'm not perfect but I'm striving to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-beauty-is-in-gods-eyes-you-all-are-beautiful-but-only-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 390 Better man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Better is the man of humble standing that works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Solomon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-that-works-for-himself-than-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better man" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-that-works-for-himself-than-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/solomon-9530_better-man_better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-tha_2425236.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Better is the man of humble standing that works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.” — Solomon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Solomon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Better is the man of humble...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-that-works-for-himself-than-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/better-is-the-man-of-humble-standing-that-works-for-himself-than-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```