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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:25-26

Here we have, 1. The miseries of the slothful, whose hands refuse to labour in an honest calling, by which they might get an honest livelihood. They are as fit for labour as other men, and business offers itself, to which they might lay their hands and apply their minds, but they will not; herein they fondly think they do well for themselves, see Prov. 26:16. Soul, take thy ease. But really they are enemies to themselves; for, besides that their slothfulness starves them, depriving them of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him ,.... 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 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:26

He coveteth greedily all the day long ,.... The slothful man does, as he has nothing to do to employ his time and his thoughts with; he is always craving something to eat and drink, or wishing he had such an estate, or so much wealth and riches, that he might live as such and such persons do; and this is what his head runs upon all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not ; not gives to the slothful, which does not restrain his desire, as Aben Ezra interprets it; but to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him - He desires to eat, drink, and be clothed: but as he does not labor, hence he dies with this desire in his heart, envying those who possess plenty through their labor and industry. Hence he is said to covet greedily all the day long, Proverbs 21:26 , while the righteous, who has been laborious and diligent, has enough to eat, and some to spare. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:24-26

The process of vice I. VICES HANG TOGETHER LIKE THE LINKS OF A CHAIN . ( Proverbs 21:24 .) Contempt is born of pride, wrath of contempt, and from wrath scoffing and manifold injuries. II. IDLENESS LIES IN CLOSE AFFINITY TO MANY VICES . ( Proverbs 21:25 , Proverbs 21:26 ). We have here a brief anatomy of idleness. It is wishing without corresponding exertion. The idle man would rather sit still and starve than set his hand or head to painful toil.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him. The craving for ease and rest, and the consequent disinclination for labour, prove fatal to the slothful man. Or, it may be, the mere wish, combined with no active exertion to secure its accomplishment, is fatal to soul, body, and fortune (comp. Proverbs 13:4 ; Proverbs 19:24 ). Lesetre quotes Bossuet, "Le paresseux spirituel s'expose aussi a la mort eternelle; car les bone desirs ne suffisient pas pour le salut; il faut encore les oeuvres" (see ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:26

St. Jerome and many commentators connect this verse with the preceding, considering the two to form a tetrastich, thus: The desire of the slothful … he coveteth greedily all the day long, but the righteous giveth and spareth not. But in this division of our book there are only pure distichs; and, as Delitzsch observes, to make the contrast, one requires in the first hemistich an expression like, "and hath nothing" ( Proverbs 13:4 ; comp. Proverbs 20:4 ). So it is correct to consider this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 21:25-26

Proverbs 21:25-26. The desire of the slothful killeth him Torments him almost to death, while he passionately desires that which he sees he shall not enjoy, and will not take pains to procure. He coveteth greedily all the day long Spends his whole time in vain and lazy desires, but will not labour to gain any thing, either to use himself, or to give to others. But the righteous giveth, and spareth not By God’s blessing upon his industry he procures enough not only for his own support,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:1-31

God at work in people’s lives (21:1-31)As God directs the course along which a stream flows, so he guides the decisions of national rulers according to his plan (21:1). God knows people’s motives and he will not accept their sacrifices if their thoughts and actions are wrong (2-4). Prosperity that comes through diligence is a fitting reward, but prosperity that comes through greed, lying and violence is a deadly trap (5-8). Some people make life unpleasant for those who live in the same house,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 21:26

coveteth greedily = craving he craveth. Figure of speech Polyptoton , for emphasis. read more

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