⁷ There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.

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Why would someone, especially someone who has nothing, pretend to be rich?  It likely comes down to self-exaltation.  This motive for self-exaltation in the midst of failure is highlighted in the second half of Proverbs 12:9.

⁹ Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

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If you look closely at narcissists* who appear successful, you may often find that the image of success which they are projecting actually masks a pattern of failure – or a pattern of moving quickly from projects that appear successful, only to quickly collapse while the N is in the process of moving on.

This would be resolve the apparent contradiction between God’s statements of opposition to the proud ……..

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Proverbs 16:18

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James 4:6

⁶ But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” .

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.

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While narcissists may “honor themselves” or exalt themselves by declaring their greatness, their prowess, etc, and while they are eager to adorn themselves with the trappings of success, many may be simply moving on from failure to failure, getting out of situations before the failures can be attributed to them.