Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
In Context
19so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A perverse man scatters abroad strife, and a whisperer separates chief friends.
Proverbs 26:22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:19-20
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin. It is not only the passionate furious man,… Read the whole commentary →