roasteth not, &c.. starteth not his game (see the Oxford Gesenius).
substance: i.e. that which the diligent man "starts" and obtains is substantial. The proverb is not "humorous".
Related Commentaries of Proverbs 12:27
Proverbs 12:27
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.