Wise Words of Warning About the Dangers of Laziness
List by Ami Hendrickson
The scourge of laziness is not new. Nor are its consequences. Wise King Solomon composed many proverbs warning about the pitfalls of idleness. They are as true today as they were thousands of years ago.
Laziness is linked to poverty
Proverbs 10:4
He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
Laziness brings shame on the family
Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
Laziness is linked to foolishness
Proverbs 26:14-16
So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off. Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place; for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Laziness leads to enslavement
Proverbs 12:24
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
The lazy don't value what they have
Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
The lazy are never satisfied
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
Laziness leads to health complications
Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Laziness now leads to misery later
Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Laziness and lack of motivation leads to ruin
Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.
Laziness is impossible to hide
Proverbs 24:30-34
I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding: Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
