Proverbs 21:25

“The desire of the slothful killeth him, etc.] 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 <201304>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 wisdomf587.”

“desire--that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.”

“Killeth him - He wastes his strength and life in unsatisfied longings for something which he has not energy to gain. The wish to do great or good things may sometimes be taken for the deed, but if the hindrance is from a man’s own sloth, it does but add to his condemnation. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Killeth - Torments him to death, while he passionately desires what he sees, he shall not enjoy, and will not take pains to procure. Proverbs 21:26”

“Pro 6:6-11, Pro 12:24, Pro 12:27, Pro 13:4, Pro 15:19, Pro 19:24, Pro 20:4, Pro 22:13, Pro 24:30-34, Pro 26:13, Pro 26:16; Mat 25:26 Proverbs 21:26”

“25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to be active. The desire of the עצל, Hitzig remarks, goes out first after meat and drink; and when it takes this direction, as hunger, it kills him indeed. But in this case it is not the desire that kills him, but the impossibility of satisfying it. The meaning is simply: the inordinate desire after rest and pleasure kills the slothful; for this always seeking only enjoyment and idleness brings him at last to ruin. תּאוה means here, as in Kibroth ha-tava, Num 11:34, inordinate longing after enjoyments. The proverb is connected by almost all interpreters (also Ewald, Bertheau, Hitzig, Elster, Zckler) as a tetrastich with Pro…”