Go to the Ant

Solomon recommends taking lessons from one of God’s smallest but most hard-working creatures.

translated in 1611

King James I 1603-1625

Leaf ants at Butterfly World, Hertsfordshire.

Introduction

The Book of Proverbs is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, son of King David, and himself King of Israel early in the tenth century BC, though as with the Psalms some of it was compiled from the works of other authors, and some is of later date. The following passage was translated into English for the Authorized Version of 1611, and the result is quite masterly.

from The Authorized Version 1611

Proverbs 6:6-20

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

from The Authorized Version 1611

From Proverbs 6:6-20, as translated in the Authorised Version of the Bible, published under the authority of King James VI and I in 1611.

Précis

The Book of Proverbs recommends the ant as a model of conscientious labour: those who spend their days napping will wake to find themselves poor, just as the wicked, though wicked only by hints and nudges, will suffer sudden ruin. Take to heart this wisdom of our parents, says the author: for God hates lies, division, injustice and self-indulgence.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What is the third abomination unto the Lord, according to Solomon?

Suggestion

The wilful murder of any innocent person.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

The ant works hard. People should copy ants. They should not be lazy.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IExample. IIInstead. IIIRather.

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