Laziness wastes opportunity, but diligence is a precious character trait that turns work into fruit.
In Proverbs 12:27, Solomon writes, A lazy man does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a man is diligence (v. 27). This verse presents laziness as wasteful. The sluggard does not finish what opportunity has placed in his hand.
To not roast his prey means he fails to make use of what he has already gained. His problem is not only inactivity at the beginning, but failure to follow through to fruitful completion. Laziness squanders provision through neglect.
By contrast, the precious possession of a man is diligence. Diligence is called precious because it turns opportunity into nourishment, responsibility into fruit, and stewardship into flourishing. More valuable than accidental gain is the character that faithfully develops what has been entrusted.
Proverbs 12:27
27 A lazy man does not roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a man is diligence.
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Proverbs 12:27 meaning
In Proverbs 12:27, Solomon writes, A lazy man does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a man is diligence (v. 27). This verse presents laziness as wasteful. The sluggard does not finish what opportunity has placed in his hand.
To not roast his prey means he fails to make use of what he has already gained. His problem is not only inactivity at the beginning, but failure to follow through to fruitful completion. Laziness squanders provision through neglect.
By contrast, the precious possession of a man is diligence. Diligence is called precious because it turns opportunity into nourishment, responsibility into fruit, and stewardship into flourishing. More valuable than accidental gain is the character that faithfully develops what has been entrusted.