Sirach 22:2 - A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand.
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What does "Sirach 22:2" mean?
Sirach 22:2, "A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand," is a pretty vivid analogy about the unpleasantness and worthlessness of laziness. Let's break it down:
"A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill..." This sets the stage. A "slothful man" is a lazy, idle person, and he's being compared to "the filth of a dunghill." A dunghill is a pile of animal waste or manure, something inherently dirty, smelly, and undesirable. The comparison suggests the slothful man is similarly repellent or undesirable in the eyes of society.
"...Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand." This part explains why the slothful man is like dung. If someone were to handle dung, their immediate reaction would be to quickly shake it off, wanting to get rid of it as quickly as possible. This illustrates how people want to distance themselves from the lazy person. They find dealing with him unpleasant and burdensome. It's like they've been tainted by his laziness and want to cleanse themselves of the association.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Laziness is disgusting and undesirable.
People don't want to associate with lazy people because they're a burden.
People will actively try to distance themselves from those who are lazy.
The meaning highlights several points:
The societal impact of laziness: It's not just a personal failing; it affects how others perceive and interact with you.
The lack of value of idleness: The lazy person is seen as having no worth, like the dung that is discarded.
The avoidance of burden: People naturally avoid taking on the responsibilities or consequences of someone else's laziness.
So, the verse serves as a strong condemnation of sloth, portraying it as a repellent and socially damaging trait. It's a call to diligence and hard work, lest one become like the filth of a dunghill, something everyone wants to avoid.
Sirach 22:2 - A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand.
What does "Sirach 22:2" mean?
Sirach 22:2, "A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand," is a pretty vivid analogy about the unpleasantness and worthlessness of laziness. Let's break it down:
"A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill..." This sets the stage. A "slothful man" is a lazy, idle person, and he's being compared to "the filth of a dunghill." A dunghill is a pile of animal waste or manure, something inherently dirty, smelly, and undesirable. The comparison suggests the slothful man is similarly repellent or undesirable in the eyes of society.
"...Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand." This part explains why the slothful man is like dung. If someone were to handle dung, their immediate reaction would be to quickly shake it off, wanting to get rid of it as quickly as possible. This illustrates how people want to distance themselves from the lazy person. They find dealing with him unpleasant and burdensome. It's like they've been tainted by his laziness and want to cleanse themselves of the association.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Laziness is disgusting and undesirable.
People don't want to associate with lazy people because they're a burden.
People will actively try to distance themselves from those who are lazy.
The meaning highlights several points:
The societal impact of laziness: It's not just a personal failing; it affects how others perceive and interact with you.
The lack of value of idleness: The lazy person is seen as having no worth, like the dung that is discarded.
The avoidance of burden: People naturally avoid taking on the responsibilities or consequences of someone else's laziness.
So, the verse serves as a strong condemnation of sloth, portraying it as a repellent and socially damaging trait. It's a call to diligence and hard work, lest one become like the filth of a dunghill, something everyone wants to avoid.