Proverbs 26:16

A sluggard seems to himself wiser 1 Than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message. 1

Updated Brenton Septuagint

In The King James Version

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

In Context

15A sluggard having hidden his hand in his bosom, 1 Will not be able to bring it up to his mouth. 1

17As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, 1 So is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause. 1

Read all of Proverbs 26

Cross References

Proverbs 26:12I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; 1 But a fool had more hope than he. 1

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:16

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard has now, with much ado, got out of his bed, but he might as well have lain there still for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work, so awkwardly does he go about it. Observe, 1. The pretence he makes for his slothfulness: He hides his hand in his bosom for fear of cold; next to his warm bed in his warm bosom. Or he pretends that he is lame, as some do that make a trade of begging; something ails… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 26:16