John Gill Commentary Proverbs 21:25

"The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor." — Proverbs 21:25 (ASV)

The desire of the slothful kills him
His desire after food and raiment, and riches; for because he cannot have what he desires, being unwilling to work for them, it frets and vexes him to death, or puts him upon unlawful methods to obtain them, which bring him to a shameful death; see (Proverbs 13:4) ;

for his hands refuse to labour;
when he is ordered by his superiors, or his wants are such as call for labour; and he seems to be willing and desirous of it, necessity obliging to it, yet he cannot bring his hands to it; these do in effect say, as Aben Ezra observes, You shall not do it. Maimonides says this is to be understood of sloth in seeking wisdom ^h.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F8: Moreh Nevochim, par. 1. c. 34. p. 47.