Proverbs 26:20

20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

Proverbs 26:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:20

Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out
Or "woods" {h}; where there is a large quantity of wood or fuel, the fire is kept up; but where there is little, scarce any or none at all, it goes out of course; So where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth;
or is silent {i}: men cease to quarrel one with another; they hold their peace and are silent, when there are none to bring tales from one to another, or any whisperer or backbiter to suggest evil things of each other; or when such are discouraged on both sides, and their tales are not listened to; or when they are detected and thrust out of doors, as they deserve, then strife subsides, and peace ensues. Contention is like a fire, the flame of which is blown up by talebearers and whisperers, who are as incendiaries, and as such are to be treated.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (Myue opab) "deficientibus lignis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in deficientia lignorum", Michaelis; "quum expirarunt ligna", Schultens.
F9 (qtvy) "silebit", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "silet", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "consilescit", Cocceius, Schultens.

Proverbs 26:20 In-Context

18 As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

19 So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?

20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

21 Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.

22 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.