Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—

and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

A sluggard`s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

The sluggard says, “There`s a lion outside! I`ll be killed in the public square!”

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;

thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—

and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.

Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

A sluggard says, “There`s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats` milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.