Proverbs by theme
Work
Diligence, the sluggard, and a day's labor.
- 6:6-11Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
- 10:4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- 10:5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
- 10:16The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.
- 10:26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
- 11:18The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
- 12:11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
- 12:24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
- 12:27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
- 13:4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
- 14:4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
- 14:23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
- 15:19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- 16:26A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
- 18:9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
- 19:15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
- 19:24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
- 20:4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
- 20:13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
- 21:5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
- 21:25-26The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
- 22:13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
- 22:29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- 24:27Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.
- 24:30-34I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
- 25:13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- 26:13-16The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
- 27:18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
- 27:23-27Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
- 28:19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- 29:19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
- 29:21A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
- 31:13-19She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
- 31:31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.