Proverbs 10:5 - He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.

Generated Verse: Proverbs 10:5

What does "Proverbs 10:5" mean?


This verse from Proverbs 10:5 uses the agricultural metaphor of summer and harvest to illustrate the importance of hard work, diligence, and foresight. Let's break it down:

"He who gathers in summer is a wise son...": Summer is the time to prepare for the harvest. Gathering in summer implies a person who is proactive, working diligently to plant, tend, and prepare for the eventual harvest. This person is wise because they understand the need to work before the opportunity is gone. They are not lazy and understand the importance of preparing for the future.

"...but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.": The harvest is the time to reap what has been sown. Sleeping during the harvest means being lazy or negligent when the opportunity to gather the fruits of one's labor is present. This person is a source of shame because they waste the potential rewards of hard work and may bring hardship to themselves and their family due to their laziness. They squander the opportunity and the hard work that led up to it.

In essence, the proverb is saying:

Wisdom lies in preparation and diligence. If you work hard and prepare when you have the opportunity, you will reap the rewards later.
Laziness and procrastination lead to shame and missed opportunities. If you are idle when you should be working, you will miss out on success and bring shame upon yourself and potentially your family.

The broader applications of this proverb:

This verse is not just about farming. It's a general principle that can be applied to many areas of life:

Education: Studying hard during the "summer" (school year) prepares you for the "harvest" (exams and future opportunities).
Career: Working hard and gaining experience in the early stages of your career prepares you for advancement and success later on.
Personal development: Investing time and effort in improving yourself ("gathering in summer") will lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding life ("harvest").
Financial planning: Saving and investing early on ("gathering in summer") will provide financial security later in life ("harvest").

The key takeaway is the importance of being diligent, responsible, and proactive, recognizing that opportunities must be seized when they arise. Those who prepare diligently and seize opportunities are wise and will reap rewards, while those who are lazy and neglectful will suffer the consequences.

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