Proverbs 26:23

23 Like an earthen ¹vessel overlaid with silver ²dross Are burning lips and a wicked 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 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

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.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:39
• 2. Proverbs 25:4