13 The lazy person says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a lazy person in bed.
15 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem than seven who can answer discreetly.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 26:13-16
Commentary on Proverbs 26:13
(Read Proverbs 26:13)
The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labour. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion.
Commentary on Proverbs 26:14
(Read Proverbs 26:14)
Having seen the slothful man in fear of his work, here we find him in love with his ease. Bodily ease is the sad occasion of many spiritual diseases. He does not care to get forward with his business. Slothful professors turn thus. The world and the flesh are hinges on which they are hung; and though they move in a course of outward services, yet they are not the nearer to heaven.
Commentary on Proverbs 26:15
(Read Proverbs 26:15)
The sluggard is now out of his bed, but he might have lain there, for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work. It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. Those that are slothful in religion, will not be at the pains to feed their souls with the bread of life, nor to fetch in promised blessings by prayer.
Commentary on Proverbs 26:16
(Read Proverbs 26:16)
He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain.