English experts needed

[Vishnoo]

It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch to see a man live poor to die rich.

What does this mean.It is present in a book.

 

[Langin]

People will do anything to be rich in this society even if it means hurting others or ignoring the poor. That is my well educated guess.

Here is how I think:

It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch to see a man live poor to die rich.

If I could be rich by killing someone, I wouldn't mind it and kill someone just to be rich.

 

[Dust2dust]

My take on it: scratching where it does not itch, meaning scratching your head, wondering WTF, why would a man live his life in poverty while he is actually rich. Think Scrooge like...

 

[octozeao]

"It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch"
It may make a man uncomfortable

"to see a man live poor to die rich."
To see a man who does not wish to enjoy life.

 

[Langin]

"It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch"
It may make a man uncomfortable

"to see a man live poor to die rich."
To see a man who does not wish to enjoy life.

This is a very ambiguous sentence. I understand where you're coming from and as a matter of fact, I agree with you.

I miss any further context though, where is this from?

 

[Silverthorn]

It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch to see a man live poor to die rich.

What does this mean.It is present in a book.

Before anything, if you want an accurate translation, give us the context of that sentence please.

Aside from that, here's how I would understand it at first glance:
It may make a man scratch where he doth not itch
It may make a man uncomfortable/embarrassed/surprised (hard to say without context)

to see a man live poor to die rich.
Here the "poor/rich" can be interpreted in many ways:
It could be "poor" in the sense of strict and restrained, so that he can spare money, resources whatever over time and die after having accumulated many riches, thus being rich. that's a very literal way to interpret it.

It could also be "poor" as a synonim of improper. He's done many bad things, robbed people and lived on "poor" moral principles to become rich.

Those two are just the ones I could think of like that, I'm sure there are other ways to understand it.
Having the context to that sentence might help narrowing it down.