Proverbs 26:16 - Meaning and Application

Notice, first, the high opinion a sluggard has of himself, even though his laziness is plainly foolish. He thinks he is wiser than seven men, even seven wise men, that is, men who can give a reason for what they do. It is wisdom for a person to be able to explain his actions, and it is wisdom for a good person to give a reason for the hope in him (1 Peter 3:15). What we do should be something we can defend with sound reasons, though we may not be able to answer every objection against it.

A person who works hard in religion can give good reasons for doing so. He knows he serves a good Master, and that his work will not be wasted. But the sluggard thinks he is wiser than all such people. Even if seven wise men urge him to be diligent, with every reason they can give, it does no good. His own mind, he thinks, is answer enough against them and their arguments.

This also shows how closely self-conceit is tied to laziness. Above all people, the sluggard is full of himself. His good opinion of himself causes his laziness, because he will not work to gain wisdom when he thinks he already has enough. Thinking too highly of what we have learned is a great enemy to growth.

At the same time, his laziness feeds his self-conceit. If he would only take the trouble to examine himself and compare himself with wisdom’s rule, he would think very differently about himself. Letting laziness run unchecked lies at the root of stubborn pride. Worse still, he is so foolish that he mistakes his laziness for wisdom. He thinks it is wise to pamper himself, take all the ease he can, and do no more in religion than he must to avoid trouble, while he sits back and watches others so he can find fault with them. There is little hope for such sluggards, who are proud of what should make them ashamed (Proverbs 26:12).