Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
Updated King James 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 that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A perverse man sows strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.
Proverbs 26:22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts 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 →