Proverbs 10:5

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son,.... Which is the time of gathering the fruits of the earth, and laying them up against winter, as the ant is said to do, Pro 6:8;

but he that sleepeth in…

The son is called upon to enter upon the labors of others, and reap where they have sown. To sleep when the plenteous harvest lies ready for the sickle is the most extreme laziness.

Here is, 1. The just praise of those who improve their opportunities, who take pains to gather and increase what they have, both for soul and body, who provide for hereafter while provision is to be…

sleepeth Sleeps heavily, goes fast to sleep. Stertit, Vulg. Comp. Jon 1:5-6, where the Heb. word is the same.

This is an example of an exactly balanced proverb in the wording of the two clauses,…