Proverbs 26:20
If there is no more firewood to put on the fire, the fire will go out; similarly [SIM], if there are no people who ◄gossip/tell people things that are not true►, quarreling will end.
Translation for Translators
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
19are as foolish as those who deceive someone else and then say, “I was only joking.”
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28Deceitful people cause strife/quarreling among other people; those who say false things about other people cause people who are friends to become enemies.
Proverbs 26:22People enjoy listening to what gossips say about others just like [SIM] they enjoy tasty food; they enjoy listening to what gossips tell them like they enjoy swallowing tasty food.
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 →