Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
– Proverbs 6:6

Verses 6-11 warn against the folly of slothfulness, or laziness. Laziness was warned against in the previous section concerning delivering yourself from surety and here is addressed more bluntly. Sloth is addressed frequently in Proverbs and is always pitted against wisdom. Sluggard means a sluggish or lazy person. Verses 6-8 instruct the sluggard to consider the lowly ant as an example and a reproof. A few characteristics of the ant are considered, such as diligence, unwearied and persistent effort. The point here is not to humanize ants but the fact they aren’t human supplies a reproof. They do not have the capacity for wisdom a human has, and so when they act more wisely than a human does, it is a thorough rebuke. The ant is not only good for rebuke, but also instruction in wisdom and that is why the wise teacher directs attention there. In fact, it is a mark of wisdom to be able to learn from many different places and the things around you.

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