Proverbs 21:6

"The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty."

Key Reflection

In Proverbs 21:6, the original audience would understand that diligence leads to prosperity, while rashness results in financial ruin. This wisdom literature was likely directed at young people who were learning the ways of life and work; it emphasized the importance of careful planning and hard work over impulsiveness, reflecting a cultural value of frugality and foresight that was crucial for survival and success in ancient Israel's agricultural economy.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Vanity -Or, “a breath driven to and fro of those that are seeking death.” Another reading of the last words is: “of the snares of death” (compare1 Timothy 6:9). Some commentators have suggested that the “vapor” or “mist” is the mirage of the desert, misleading those who follow it, and becoming a “net of death.”

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