The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
The way of the slothful (man is) as an hedge of thorns. It seems to him as if a hedge of thorns was in his way, if he has any work to do; especially so when he is urged to enter upon the way of the Lord's commandments (Proverbs 26:13). He sees difficulties where all is plain to the willing and the resolute (Proverbs 20:4; Proverbs 22:13).
But the way of the righteous is made plain - or 'is raised as a level causeway,' since he is the opposite of "slothful;" that is, industrious; whereas, "the slothful" is the opposite of "righteous;" that is, unrighteous. Righteousness takes difficulties out of the way, and by frequent action forms the habit, like a well-trodden and level path, so that 'they shall have no stumbling-block' (margin, Psalms 119:165).