Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BEAR RULE: BUT THE SLOTHFUL SHALL BE UNDER TRIBUTE. Diligence shall secure the rule over others; but slothfulness (literally, fraud; cf. , margin. For they who are slothful often use fraud to save themselves the trouble of labour) brings one under the rule of others....

Verse Proverbs 12:24. _THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BEAR RULE_] And why? because by his _own industry_ he is _independent_; and every such person is respected wherever found....

UNDER TRIBUTE - The comparison is probably suggested by the contrast between the condition of a conquered race (compare Joshua 16:10; Judges 1:30), and that of the freedom of their conquerors from such burdens. The proverb indicates that beyond all political divisions of this nature there lies an ethical law. The “slothful” descend inevitably to pauperism and servitude. The prominence of compulsory labor under Solomon 1 Kings 9:21 gives a special significance to the illustration....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 12:1 INSTRUCTION; correction, discipline, which shows a man his faults, gives him a lowly opinion of himself, and opens his mind to receive _knowledge, _especially the knowledge of himself and of all moral obligations. IS BRUTISH; is as insensible to higher aspirations, to regret for the past or hope of amendment, as a brute beast (comp. Proverbs 30:2). On this point St. Augustine is quoted: "Quicumque corripi non vis, ex eo sane corripiendus es quia corripi non vis. Non vis enim tua tibi vitia demonstrari; non vis ut feriantur, fiatque tibi utilis dolor, quo medicum quaeras; non vis tibi tu ipse ostendi, ut cum deformem te vides, reformaturum desideres, eique supplices ne in illa remaneas foeditate

THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BEAR RULE,.... "Shall become rich", so Jarchi interprets it, according to Proverbs 10:4; Through diligence men get riches, and through riches they arrive to power and authority over others: from apprentices and journeymen workmen they become masters of their business; diligent men become masters of families, and have servants and workmen under them; become magistrates in cities, and bear rule over their fellow citizens, and are advanced to places of power and authority in the commonwealth; see Proverbs 22:29; BUT THE SLOTHFUL SHALL BE UNDER TRIBUTE; the "slothful" or "deceitful hand" l, for so it may be rendered and supplied; for usually such who are slothful, and do not care for business, get their living by deceitful methods, by tricking and sharping

CHAPTER 12 THE CONTRAST IN RELATION TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS In these proverbs we have the righteous mentioned, his thoughts, his words, his domestic relationship, his attitude toward animal creation Proverbs 12:10); his diligence; all is contrasted with the wicked in these beautiful antithetic expressions of wisdom. The thoughts of the righteous are right Proverbs 12:5), because his heart is right; his words bring deliverance Proverbs 12:6); in speaking truth he showeth forth righteousness Proverbs 12:17); his tongue is health Proverbs 12:1

PROVERBS 12. Here we have a number of proverbs handling the favourite subject of retribution (Proverbs 12:2 f., Proverbs 12:7; Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 12:21; Proverbs 12:28). Several deal with speech (Proverbs 12:6; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 12:16;...

_the slothful_ Lit. _sloth_. See Proverbs 10:4. Comp. Proverbs 13:1-2. _shall be under tribute_ Rather, SHALL COME, or BE PUT, UNDER TASK-WORK, i.e. servile or enforced labour. The phrase occurs frequently (e.g. Deuteronomy 20:11; Judges 1:30; Judges 1:33; Judges 1:35), and is rendered, "be, or become tributary," both in A.V. and R.V., though with the alternative, "be subject to task-work," in R.V. marg. But in all those places the words

TEXT Proverbs 12:20-28 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21. There shall be no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22. Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork. 25. Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad. 26. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err. 27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious subst

4. A CROWN, etc.] Possibly there may be a reference to the crown worn on their wedding-day by bride and bridegroom (Song of Solomon 3:11; Song of Solomon 8:9). In Damascus the bridal crown consists of a silver hoop covered with a network of strings of corals. On this net are fastened strings of gold coins....