- English translation
If someone is not harvesting, they are bundling what has already been cut.
- Literal wording
Whoever is not cutting the grain is tying it up.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying commends coordinated, diligent work. In a group effort, a person who seems not to be doing one visible task may be carrying out another necessary part of the job.
It also cautions against mistaking a change of task for idleness. The work progresses because everyone remains occupied, with each worker contributing at a different stage of completion.
- When it is used
Used when people are jointly trying to finish a task and someone is unfairly thought inactive. It stresses that effective teamwork distributes labor across complementary jobs rather than having everyone perform the same action.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: If someone is not harvesting, they are bundling what has already been cut.