He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Someone who is lazy in their work is like a brother to someone who destroys things.
The writer is saying that being lazy at work causes just as much damage as someone who intentionally destroys things.
📚 Historical Context
The book of Proverbs is part of the Old Testament's Wisdom Literature, traditionally attributed to King Solomon in ancient Israel around the 10th century BC, offering practical advice for living wisely in a society focused on moral and ethical conduct. In this cultural context, hard work was highly valued for survival and community prosperity, especially in an agrarian economy where laziness could lead to poverty and ruin. This proverb uses familial imagery, like "brother," to emphasize that slothfulness and wastefulness are closely linked moral failings.
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