Lazy folk take the most pains.

Avoiding a task through delay, shortcuts, or reluctance can create more work than doing it properly at the outset. The saying presents laziness as self-defeating rather than genuinely effort-saving.

It may criticize needless trouble caused by resisting ordinary duties, but calling a person lazy can sound reproachful. It does not mean that all effort, delay, or busyness proves laziness.

Use this proverb as a mildly admonitory observation when preventable extra effort follows procrastination, careless shortcuts, or refusal to handle a routine job directly. Avoid using it as a blanket judgment of someone’s character or of every busy person.