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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 13:4

Here is, 1. The misery and shame of the slothful. See how foolish and absurd they are; they desire the gains which the diligent get, but they hate the pains which the diligent take; they covet every thing that is to be coveted, but will do nothing that is to be done; and therefore it follows, They have nothing; for he that will not labour let him hunger, and let him not eat, 2 Thess. 3:10. The desire of the slothful, which should be his excitement, is his torment, which should make him busy,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing ,.... He desires knowledge, but does not care to be at any pains to get it, and so has it not; he desires riches, but chooses not to make use of the means, to be diligent and industrious, and so he is without them; he desires to wear good clothes and rich raiment, but is unwilling to labour for them, and therefore is clothed with rags; he desires food, and plenty of it, but refuses to work for it; and he that will not work should not eat,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing - We often hear many religious people expressing a desire to have more of the Divine life, and yet never get forward in it. How is this? The reason is, they desire, but do not stir themselves up to lay hold upon the Lord. They are always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. They seek to enter in at the strait gate, but are not able, because they do not strive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-18

The wisdom of docility, etc.: a sermon to the young We have the positive and negative, the happy and the sorrowful aspects of the subject brought into view. I. THE WISDOM OF DOCILITY . The excellency of docility is seen in its results: 1 . In character. It is a "wise son" who heareth his father's instruction. 2 . In circumstance. The docile son will "be rewarded," will "be honored." The path he treads is one which leads to competence, to comfort, to health, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:4

(Comp. Proverbs 10:4 .) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; literally, and nothing is there— he gains nothing ( Proverbs 14:6 ; Proverbs 20:4 ). He has the wish, but not the will, and the empty wish without corresponding exertion is useless ( Proverbs 21:25 , etc.). Vulgate, "The indolent wishers, and wishes not;" he wishes for something, but he wishes not for the labour of getting it; he would like the result, but he hates the process by which the result is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 13:4-11

The value and use of property I. THE WORTH OF THIS WORLD 'S GOODS IS ASSUMED . It is needless to show that property is a necessary institution of life under present conditions. All the strong things said in the gospel about riches do not dispute their value; it is in the relation of the spirit to them that evil arises. Their value as a means to the ends of the spirit is unquestioned, and everywhere assumed. II. THE VANITY OF RICHES WITHOUT CORRESPONDING ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 13:4

Proverbs 13:4. The sluggard desireth and hath nothing Because he contents himself with lazy desires, without diligent endeavours; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat He shall be enriched with the fruit of his own labours. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 13:1-25

Satisfaction amid life’s hardships (13:1-25)Parental advice is one of the benefits of life. Those who habitually ignore it will develop an attitude of scorning all opinions except their own (13:1). Good words bring a reward, but treacherous words can result in violence. Discipline in speech is necessary, because rash words lead to disaster (2-3). Discipline is necessary also in work and behaviour, otherwise a person’s life may end in ruin. Security is found in honesty (4-6).The poor might at... read more

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