Proverbs 21:5 - Exposition

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness. Patient industry is rewarded by a certain increase (comp. Proverbs 12:11 ; Proverbs 13:11 ; Proverbs 14:23 ). Says an English maxim, "Diligence is a fair for tune, and industry a good estate," The Greek gnomists have said tersely—

απαντα τὰ καλὰ τοῦ πονοῦντος γίγνεται

τῷ γὰρ πονοῦντι καὶ θεὸς συλλαμβάνει

"To him who labours all good things accrue

The man who labours God himself assists."

But of every one that is hasty only to want. Diligence is contrasted with hastiness. The hasting to be rich by any, even nefarious, means ( Proverbs 20:21 ; Proverbs 28:20 ) will bring a man to poverty. There are numerous proverbs warning against precipitancy, which will occur to everyone: Festina lente ; "More haste, less speed;" " Eile mit Weile ."

προπέτεια σολλοῖς ἐστὶν αἰτία κακῶν .

(See a long dissertation on Festinatio praepropera in Erasmus's 'Adagia.') This verse is omitted in the chief manuscripts of the Septuagint.