This proverb states a principle that helps to account for many (though not all) of the social and political differences that we see around us and in history. Even where God is not recognized, his law is still felt. Think of Germany and Japan, two nations that rose from the ashes of the Second World War through the hard work of their populations.
We are taught throughout the book of Proverbs that hard work brings prosperity while laziness leads to poverty and deficiency. See, for example, Proverbs 6:6–11 and Proverbs 17:2.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.