23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart .
24 He who hates disguises it with his lips , But he lays up deceit in his heart . 25 When he speaks graciously , do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart . 26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile , His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly .
27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone , it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes , And a flattering mouth works 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.