Proverbs 12:24

24 Hard workers will become leaders, but those who are lazy will be slaves.

Proverbs 12:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule
"Shall become rich", so Jarchi interprets it, according to ( Proverbs 10:4 ) ; Through diligence men get riches, and through riches they arrive to power and authority over others: from apprentices and journeymen workmen they become masters of their business; diligent men become masters of families, and have servants and workmen under them; become magistrates in cities, and bear rule over their fellow citizens, and are advanced to places of power and authority in the commonwealth; see ( Proverbs 22:29 ) ; but the slothful shall be under tribute;
the "slothful" or "deceitful hand" F12, for so it may be rendered and supplied; for usually such who are slothful, and do not care for business, get their living by deceitful methods, by tricking and sharping; and such become subject to others, to them that are diligent; hence said to be "under tribute", or tributary; because those that are tributary are in subjection to those to whom they pay tribute.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 "Manus fraudulentiae", Michaelis; "dolosa", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus; "fraudulenta", Tigurine version, Vatablus.

Proverbs 12:24 In-Context

22 The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves, but fools can't keep from showing how foolish they are.
24 Hard workers will become leaders, but those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry is a heavy load, but a kind word cheers you up.
26 Good people take advice from their friends, but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.