Proverbs 19:22 What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
The story of Pinocchio emphasises the trouble caused by lies.
Its true – we all need someone who truly loves us – and, most of us want someone to love! The mismatch is that we place on others a demand to love us as only God can – unfailing, unrelenting, true love. “For sure”, we are not able to reach that standard. But we can try.
The second part of the verse seems out of place, about liars. Perhaps, it connects on the fact that many have been deeply harmed through lies. This is seen in broken relationships caused through deceit, living a lie. It is seen in broken promises. It is seen in broken hearts.
Doesn’t everyone lie? Isn’t a “little white lie” better than the truth sometimes? I think the point of the proverb is that no-one wants to be poor – and no-one should want to lie. There is no room for a lie of any kind or colour in unfailing love.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.