Proverbs 10:4

Translations

Modern

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Traditional

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Literal

The one making slack his hand becomes poor, and the hand of the diligent ones makes rich.

Latin

Egestatem operata est manus remissa; manus autem fortium divitias parat. Qui nititur mendaciis, hic pascit ventos; idem autem ipse sequitur aves volantes.

Original

Hebrew

English

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Notes

Proverbs 10:4–5

Lazy people make unwise choices, but hard workers make wise decisions (see also Proverbs 10:26; 26:13–16).

Theme notes and profiles

Laziness and Hard Work Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Proverbs 19:15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 6:6–11
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 19:24
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Proverbs 20:13
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Proverbs 11:24
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
Proverbs 24:30–34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.
John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Glossary

Poetry, Biblical Proverbs, Book of

Topics

Ants Being Lazy Business Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Prosperity Diligence: Prosperity Doing your Best Idleness and Sloth: Lead to Poverty Idleness: General Scriptures Concerning Industry: General Scriptures Concerning Laziness Lazy People Men Working Obtaining Wealth Organization Slothfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Work Ethic

Proverbs 10:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?