Albert Barnes Commentary Proverbs 12:27

"The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent." — Proverbs 12:27 (ASV)

The word rendered “roasteth” occurs nowhere else; but the interpretation of the King James Version is widely adopted. Others render the first clause this way: “The slothful man will not secure (keep in his net) what he takes in hunting,” that is, will let whatever he gains slip from his hands through lack of effort and attention.