Proverbs 26:23

23 Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery.

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 A quarrelsome person in a dispute is like kerosene thrown on a fire.

22 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?

23 Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery.

24 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you.

25 When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute; he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off.