Children are poor men's riches.

The proverb treats children as a form of wealth for people who lack material riches. It places the value of family beside money and suggests that the former can matter more.

Its point is emotional rather than financial: love, pride, and companionship can make a life feel abundant even when resources are scarce. It does not suggest that children remove the difficulties of poverty.

Use the proverb to express how deeply parents may value their children despite having little money. It suits a reflection on family pride, but may sound dismissive if offered as an answer to someone's financial hardship.