17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death 19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze[1] covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; 25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; 26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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.