Proverbs 21:25

25 Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.

Proverbs 21:25 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him
His desire after food and raiment, and riches; for because he cannot have what he desires, being unwilling to work for them, it frets and vexes him to death, or puts him upon unlawful methods to obtain them, which bring him to a shameful death; see ( Proverbs 13:4 ) ; for his hands refuse to labour;
when he is ordered by his superiors, or his wants are such as call for labour; and he seems to be willing and desirous of it, necessity obliging to it, yet he cannot bring his hands to it; these do in effect say, as Aben Ezra observes, Thou shall not do it. Maimonides says this is to be understood of sloth in seeking wisdom {h}.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 Moreh Nevochim, par. 1. c. 34. p. 47.

Proverbs 21:25 In-Context

23 He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 A bold and self-willed and insolent is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.