No one in the Ancient Near East exceeded King Solomon’s wisdom. The people of Israel were in awe of their king’s godly insight (1 Kgs. 3:28), and his deep understanding overwhelmed the Queen of Sheba (1 Kgs. 10:5). His reputation went well beyond the ancient world. The English word Solomonic means “marked by notable wisdom.” Solomon’s knowledge and insight led to his legendary wealth and power.

Yet, when writing his proverbs, he chose one humble insect to press home an important truth. Solomon looked to the ant as a creature that humans should emulate. In what way should people imitate this animal? 

Ants can lift one hundred times their own body weight. Clearly, Solomon did not expect humans to mirror the ant in that respect! He rather expected humans to appreciate the industrious nature of this small insect.

Consider Its Ways

In Proverbs 6:6-8, Solomon wrote, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” In this passage, Solomon praises hard work and savings.

Unlike ants, humans are often tempted to prioritize the pleasure of the moment over future well-being. The sluggard values the leisure of the present over preparing for future needs. Not so the ant. The ant works and stores up. Solomon praises the practice of saving for future needs. Saving is also a key aspect of capital accumulation.

Ludwig von Mises wrote that “Capital is not a free gift of God or of nature. It is the outcome of a provident restriction of consumption on the part of man. It is created and increased by saving and maintained by the abstention from dissaving.” If an ant innately understands the good of saving, how much more should humans, as intelligent and creative creatures?

Observe & Learn a Lesson

Another of Solomon’s proverbs more explicitly references capital goods and the wisdom of acquiring and maintaining them. Proverbs 24:30-34 states:

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Vineyard grounds and stone walls were capital goods in an agrarian economy such as ancient Israel. Stone walls were essential for planting additional fruit-bearing trees and vines on terraced hillsides. The walls were considered a capital investment as they were used to create consumption goods (the fruit of the trees) and to maintain a stable track of land (one that would not be washed away by rain). The sluggard allows his capital to deteriorate. Unlike the diligent ant, the sluggard’s laziness leads to poverty and scarcity.

Mises recognized that ancient people, like the Israelites addressed by Solomon, understood the basic concept of capital. He wrote in his magnum opus, Human Action:

The reflections which led acting man to the notions implied in the concepts of capital and income are latent in every premeditation and planning of action. Even the most primitive husbandmen are dimly aware of the consequences of acts which to a modern accountant would appear as capital consumption.

Give Careful Attention

One of Solomon’s proverbs in particular reveals the truth of Mises’ words. Rather than “dimly” address the nature of capital, Proverbs 27:23-27 clearly praises the moral good of capital accumulation and maintenance: 

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

Diligent economic planning, including proper use of capital goods, reveals a wise “husbandman.” Sustaining productive hay fields (verse 25) and producing wool from well-cared-for lambs (verse 26) shows Solomon’s concern with capital use and maintenance. Accumulating additional capital resources is praised in verse 26. The farmer uses his goats to purchase additional productive land and to provide a vital consumption good—milk.

Conclusion

In the current era of dependence on government, which disincentivizes work and rampant capital consumption through government spending, the book of Proverbs provides clarity on the moral good of capital accumulation. The very wisdom that awed the people of Israel and the Queen of Sheba has much to say to those seeking economic insight. Adhering to Solomon’s proverbs produces wiser and more economically productive people.