Proverbs 26:20
Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.
Bible in Basic English
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 gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?
21Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
Proverbs 26:22The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
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 →