Proverbs 12:27 - The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

Generated Verse: Proverbs 12:27

What does "Proverbs 12:27" mean?


This verse from Proverbs 12:27 contrasts the consequences of laziness and diligence. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"The slothful man doesn't roast his game...": This part uses an analogy. In a hunting society, roasting game represents the final, beneficial step of hard work. A hunter who is slothful (lazy) may successfully hunt (catch) game, but he won't take the effort to process it properly (roast it). He lets it spoil or go to waste. He fails to capitalize on his initial success because of his laziness. In a broader sense, it means a lazy person might get a good opportunity, but they won't put in the necessary effort to bring it to completion or reap the rewards. They lack follow-through.

"...but the possessions of diligent men are prized.": This part provides the contrast. The diligent person (hard worker) values their possessions, earned through effort, and takes good care of them. Because they worked hard for what they have, they treasure it. This also implies that they are resourceful and know how to manage what they've earned.

Overall Meaning:

The verse emphasizes that:

Laziness leads to wasted opportunity. Even if a lazy person has initial success, they fail to benefit from it because they don't follow through.
Diligence leads to valuable and well-managed possessions. Hard work results in tangible benefits that are appreciated and carefully managed.
It's not enough to just start something; you need to finish it and take care of the results.
Those who work hard are rewarded, and their rewards are valuable, both materially and figuratively. They have something of value because they put in the effort.
The diligence of someone leads to a situation where that person's assets and qualities are valued by others.

In essence, the proverb is a call to action, urging readers to embrace diligence and avoid the pitfalls of laziness to enjoy the fruits of their labor. It points to the importance of not just acquiring something, but also properly utilizing and valuing it.