lazy person

The Hebrew that is translated as “lazy person” or “sluggard” or similar in English is translated in Low German as Fuulpelz, an idiomatic term that literally means “someone who wants to rest on an animal hide” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).

See also lazy.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 26:16

“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes”: This line means that the lazy person “thinks that he is wise” or “calls himself a wise person.” For “wise in his own eyes”, see verse 12.

“Than seven men who can answer discreetly”: “Seven” means “any number of.” “Answer discreetly” is literally “return discretion,” which means to reply or answer with good sense, or prudently.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 26:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 26:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “A lazy person takes himself to be wise
    defeating (more than) seven councilors/advisers.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Lazy people think they are wiser
    than seven people who can give a correct answer.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A lazy man thinks that he is more wiser than the seven men who can-give a right reason.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The lazy-one incorrectly-thinks that he is wiser/more-intelligent than how-many people who are circumspect/cautious to answer.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Lazy people think that they are wiser than seven/several people
    who can answer others’ questions with good sense.” (Source: Translation for Translators)