23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 26:23-28

Commentary on Proverbs 26:23

(Read Proverbs 26:23)

A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:24-26

(Read Proverbs 26:24-26)

Always distrust when a man speaks fair unless you know him well. Satan, in his temptations, speaks fair, as he did to Eve; but it is madness to give credit to him.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:27

(Read Proverbs 26:27)

What pains men take to do mischief to others! but it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work; and they prepare mischief to themselves.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:28

(Read Proverbs 26:28)

There are two sorts of lies equally detestable. A slandering lie, the mischief of this every body sees. A flattering lie, which secretly works ruin. A wise man will be more afraid of a flatterer than of a slanderer.