Proverbs 26:23

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

Proverbs 26:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips, and a wicked heart
Either burning with wrath and malice; breathing out threatenings and slaughter; pursuing men with reproaches and slanders, arising from a wicked heart: or rather, burning with profession of love to God, and affection to good men; with great pretensions of kindness, and promises of good things, when their hearts are wicked, and they design noticing less; say one thing with their lips, with the greatest show of affection and sincerity, and mean another in their hearts. These [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross:
which at a distance, or to less discerning persons, looks like silver, and is taken for it; when the covering is only dross, and what is within is only a potsherd, Or a piece of an earthen vessel, good for nothing: such are the specious professions and deceitful words, which flow from a wicked heart.

Proverbs 26:23 In-Context

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.

25 When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.