17 He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.
18 As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death, 19 So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?
20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended. 21 Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started. 22 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
23 Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.
24 With his lips the hater makes things seem what they are not, but deceit is stored up inside him; 25 When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils: 26 Though his hate is covered with deceit, his sin will be seen openly before the meeting of the people.
27 He who makes a hole in the earth will himself go falling into it: and on him by whom a stone is rolled the stone will come back again.
28 A false tongue has hate for those who have clean hearts, and a smooth mouth is a cause of falling.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 26:17-28
Commentary on Proverbs 26:17
(Read Proverbs 26:17)
To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.
Commentary on Proverbs 26:18-19
(Read Proverbs 26:18-19)
He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin.
Commentary on Proverbs 26:20-22
(Read Proverbs 26:20-22)
Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters.
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.