Proverbs 26:22

22 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

Proverbs 26:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:22

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down
into the innermost parts of the belly.
] These expressions are the same with those in ( Proverbs 18:8 ) ; and are here repeated, as being found along with others by the men of Hezekiah, ( Proverbs 25:1 ) ; as some others likewise are; and also because of the importance of them; and to impress the minds of men with a sense of the evil of such a practice, that they may shun it, and avoid those that are given to it. (See Gill on Proverbs 18:8).

Proverbs 26:22 In-Context

20 Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.

21 [As] charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.

22 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

23 [Like] a clay pot covered with cheap silver, [so] is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.

24 Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.