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What does Proverbs 21:25 mean?

Lazy people’s desires kill them, because they refuse to work. Proverbs 21:25 - Modern Text Bible

(Wanting things without putting in effort leads to disappointment and ruin.)

People who only dream about what they want but never put in the work end up empty. The Hebrew word for "desire" is ta'avah, meaning a deep craving or longing. But craving alone doesn’t get you anywhere—without effort, those dreams turn into disappointment.

This verse pushes back against the idea that wanting something badly enough is enough to get it. In every culture, there’s a temptation to hope for shortcuts or expect things to just happen. But this proverb says that without action, even the strongest desires lead nowhere.

If you’re stuck wishing for a better job, relationship, or life, this is a reminder: action is what turns dreams into reality. It’s not about working yourself to death, but about taking real steps, even small ones, toward what you want.