Proverbs 12:24 (BSB)

The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

From Proverbs 12. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 12:24

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 12:24: Note, 1. Industry is the way to preferment. Solomon advanced Jeroboam because he saw that he was an industrious young man, and minded his business, Kg1 11:28. Men that take pains in study and serviceableness will thereby gain such an interest and reputation as will give them a dominion over all about them, by which means many have risen strangely.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 12:24: The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,.... "Shall become rich", so Jarchi interprets it, according to Pro 10:4; Through diligence men get riches, and through riches they arrive to power and authority over others: from apprentices and journeymen workmen they become masters of their business; diligent men become masters of families, and have servants and workmen under them; become magistrates in cities, and bear...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 12:24: slothful--(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises. under tribute--not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 12:24: Pro 12:24 We take Pro 12:24-28 together as a group. In these verses the subject is the means of rising (in the world), and the two ways, the one of which leads to error, and the other to life. 24 The land of the diligent attains to dominion, But slothfulness will become tributary.