Proverbs 26:20
Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
Geneva Bible 1599
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 dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
21As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A frowarde person soweth strife: and a tale teller maketh diuision among princes.
Proverbs 26:22The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
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 →