Albert Barnes Commentary Proverbs 14:34

"Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people." — Proverbs 14:34 (ASV)

Reproach - The word so rendered has this sense in the Targum of (Leviticus 20:17). Its more usual meaning is "mercy," "piety;" hence, some have attached to the word rendered "sin" the sense of "sin-offering," and so get the maxim "piety is an atonement for the people."