Walk in integrity.
v.1 Better poor with integrity. It is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in speech (perverse) and a fool. Wealth gained by dishonest means will not prevent harm and it is only temporary. See also 28:6. Walk in faith and follow honesty even if it leads to poverty.
v.2 Desire without knowledge. It is not good to have desire (enthusiasm for some course of action) without knowledge (Rom 10:2) because haste in acting (without regard to moral consequences) results in mistakes (especially hastening to make money). Don’t rush into making decisions and always consider the consequences.
v.3 Folly. This proverb observes that when a man’s foolishness brings him to ruin, he rages against the Lord (which is also folly). See Is 8:20-22.
v.4 Wealth. Wealth brings many new “friends,” but a poor man is deserted by his (only) friend. See also 14:20 and v.7 below. People chase the rich so that they might get something out of it, they avoid the poor for fear the poor might be trying to gain something from them. This is merely an observation of a situation without wisdom.
v.5 False witness. A false witness and one who tells lies will not escape their due punishment. See also v.9 below. The Lord hates a false witness 6:16-19. The punishment must transcend the grave since a truthful witness dies as well (Waltke).
v.6 Seeks favor. Many people seek the favor (and friendship) of the generous man (or ruler) who gives good gifts. See 18:16, 29:26. This is another observation proverb.
v.7 A poor man. A poor man’s brothers (relatives) hate him and his friends go far from him. Though he pursues them with words, it is in vain. See v.4 and 14:20. The plight of Job is a good example of superficial friends abandoning a poor man in his time of need.
v.8 Got understanding? It is in your self-interest to get understanding. Why? it helps you to prosper in your way. 16:20 is similar. Good sense is profitable to both your physical and spiritual life.
v.9 False witness. This proverb virtually repeats v.5. A false witness will not escape punishment (he will perish). See Ex 20:16.

Read Proverbs 19:1-9