Лучше беднее, да честнее

Poverty and honesty is better than wealth got in a dishonest way. See Лучше бедность да честность, нежели прибыль да стыд (Л), Лучше жить бедняком, чем разбогатеть с грехом (Л), Хотя и гол, да не вор (X)

Var.: Беден, да честен

Cf: Better go to heaven in rags than to hell in embroidery (Br.) Better poor with honor than rich with shame (Am.). A clean fast is better than a dirty breakfast (Br.). A penny by right is better than a thousand by wrong (Br.)