Proverbs 15:19 (BSB)

The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

From Proverbs 15. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:19

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 15:19: See here, 1. Whence those difficulties arise which men pretend to meet with in the way of their duty, and to be insuperable; they arise not from any thing in the nature of the duty, but from the slothfulness of those that have really no mind to it.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 15:19: The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns,.... Or, "strewed with thorns", as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; the Targum is, "the ways of the slothful are briers and thorns.'' Either really being made so by his own conduct; who, by his slothfulness, has implicated and entangled himself in such difficulties, that he cannot extricate himself; his way is not passable...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 15:19: The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (Sa1 10:7; Psa 1:3).
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 15:19: The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain. (e) That is, he always finds some hinderance or stay, and dares not go forward.