Musar su Proverbi 26:15

Among the offshoots of this quality is slothfulness, of which we have already treated. Thou knowest what was said with regard to its ignominy and baseness. Thus the sage, peace be upon him, said (Prov. xxvi. 15), "A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again." This is the uttermost that can be said of the shame thereof. The slothful coward is known to say: "I will not travel, for fear of highwaymen and wild beasts. I will not engage in business, lest I meet with losses. I will not fast, lest I become ill. I will give no alms, lest I become poor," and similar words that put an end to all activity, until there remains nothing for him to do, but living on without moving from his place, as it is said (id., xxvi. 14), "As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." A wise man should not choose this quality of cowardice or make use thereof in preference to his other qualities, lest he become known thereby,

The lazy man is faint-hearted and does not make his way to a center of Torah. Of him, King Solomon said seven things. What does the lazy man say? People say to a lazy man, "There is a teacher in the metropolis — go and learn Torah from him," and he answers, "I am afraid of the lion that is in the path." As it is said. "The sluggard saith : 'There is a lion in the way' " (Prov. 26:13). They say to him, "There is a teacher in the township — get up and go to him" and he answers, "I am afraid lest there be a lion in the streets." As it is said, "Yea, a lion is in the streets" (ibid). Then they say to him, "But the teacher lives right near your house." And he answers, "The lion is somewhere outside." As it is said, "The sluggard saith : 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.' " Then they say to him, "The teacher is right in your house," and he answers, "But if I go and find the door locked, I will only have to come back." They say to him, "The door is open." As it is said, "The door is turning upon its hinges and the sluggard is still upon his bed" (Prov. 26:14). Finally, when he does not know what to answer, he says to them, "Whether the door is open or locked, I want to sleep a bit more." As it is said, "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt though arise out of thy sleep?" (Prov. 6:9). When he rises from his sleep, they place before him food to eat, but he is too lazy even to lift it to his mouth. As it is said, "The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring back to his mouth" (Prov. 26:15).