The principle given here seems to be common sense, and yet the temptation to pursue reckless gratification or success rears its ugly head regularly in life doesn't it? Many times we think of diligence being the opposite of laziness, but in our passage today, diligence is set in contrast to haste. What comes to your mind when you think of a hasty person? The word haste means to hurry, urge, or to be pressed. The reason haste is so dangerous and foolish, is that the individual is in such a hurry, due to pressure they have brought upon themselves, that they do not take the time to actually think about what they are doing. To be diligent literally means to be sharp. Those who are practicing diligence are planning wisely and are prepared to face obstacles ahead. They are not in hurry, or making rash decisions; but sharply weighing each decision out in wisdom. How would you describe yourself today? Are you weighing your decisions in wisdom, or are you in a hurry to get what you want, simply because you want it?