Laziness versus Diligence

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Lazy men are soon poor; hard workers get rich. A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity (Proverbs 10:4 - 5).

A lazy fellow is a pain to his employers - like smoke in their eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge (Proverbs 10:26).

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks (Ecclesiastes 10:18).

As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed (Proverbs 26:14).

A lazy man doesn't roast his game, but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious (Proverbs 12:27).

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth (Proverbs 10:4).

The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway (Proverbs 15:19).


Temptation of the idler
Temptation of the Idler
Albrecht Durer, c. 1498

How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? (Proverbs 6:9).

Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry (Proverbs 19:15).

Hunger is good - if it makes you work to satisfy it! (Proverbs 16:26).

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed (Proverbs 12:24).

The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal (Proverbs 18:9).

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Proverbs 21:25).

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor (Proverbs 12:24).

World's Wit and Wisdom
He that never eats too
much will never be lazy.
Benjamin Franklin, 1706 - 1790

Lazy people are always
looking for something to do.
Luc de Vauvenargues, 1715 - 1747

Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to work. He covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and spares not (Proverbs 21:25 - 26).

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (Proverbs 13:4).

A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again (Proverbs 19:24).

The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing (Proverbs 20:4).


World's Wit and Wisdom
Failure is not the only
punishment for laziness;
there is also the
success of others.
Jules Renard, 1864 - 1910

Laziness travels so
slowly that poverty
soon overtakes him.
Benjamin Franklin, 1706 - 1790

I went by the field of the lazy man and by the vineyard of the man without understanding, And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it well; I looked upon it and I received instruction (Proverbs 24:30 - 32).

The lazy man won't go out and work. "There might be a lion outside!" he says (Proverbs 26:13).

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest. So shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man (Proverbs 24:33 - 34).

The fool won't work and almost starves but feels that it is better to be lazy and barely get by, than to work hard, when in the long run it is all so futile (Ecclesiastes 4:5).

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise! For though they have no king to make them work, yet they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

But you - all you do is sleep. When will you wake up? . . . And as you sleep, poverty creeps upon you like a robber and destroys you; want attacks you in full armor (Proverbs 6:6 - 9, 11).

Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty (Proverbs 28:19).

The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth (Proverbs 26:15).

The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly (Proverbs 26:16).

The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" (Proverbs 22:13).

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