The verse states,¹⁹⁰ “Better is a lowly one who is His servant, than a pompous one who lacks bread.” The explanation is: There is no greater sign of true service of HaShem, the Creator, blessed is He, than knowing in yourself that you are lowly. Only then have you reached any level at all, and only then are you a servant of HaShem, blessed is He. In contrast, whoever is honorable in his own eyes, “lacks bread,” that is, Divine sustenance.

footnotes: ¹⁹⁰ Proverbs 12:9