Proverbs 26:23

23 Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.

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 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.

23 Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.

24 With his lips the hater makes things seem what they are not, but deceit is stored up inside him;

25 When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils: