Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 6:6-11

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler, Provideth her bread in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man." — Proverbs 6:6-11 (ASV)

Diligence in business is every person's wisdom and duty; not so much that they may gain worldly wealth, as that they may not be a burden to others or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothful people. We may learn wisdom from the humblest insects and be shamed by them.

Habits of indolence and indulgence grow on people. Thus, life runs to waste; and poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near, like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too strong to be resisted.

All this may be applied to the concerns of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we not give diligence to secure our own salvation?