As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
The saying belongs to the principal portion of the book in chapters 1–24, credited to Solomon and probably gathered by him or in his time. It is a proverb in the sense of a brief, pointed saying built as a comparison. As sour liquid like strong acid irritates and hurts the teeth, and as smoke stings and irritates the eyes, so it presents its lesson by likeness.
So a sluggard sent on an errand is a vexation causing pain and frustration to those who send and depend on him, like a slow and careless child. The irritation is not slight but keen and wearing, answering to acid on the teeth and smoke in the eyes. It therefore calls children to obey their parents promptly, cheerfully, and willingly.
The saying belongs to the principal portion of the book in chapters 1–24, credited to Solomon and probably gathered by him or in his time. It is a proverb in the sense of a brief, pointed saying built as a comparison. As sour liquid like strong acid irritates and hurts the teeth, and as smoke stings and irritates the eyes, so it presents its lesson by likeness.
So a sluggard sent on an errand is a vexation causing pain and frustration to those who send and depend on him, like a slow and careless child. The irritation is not slight but keen and wearing, answering to acid on the teeth and smoke in the eyes. It therefore calls children to obey their parents promptly, cheerfully, and willingly.