Proverbios 26:20

20 Por falta de leña se apaga el fuego, y donde no hay chismoso, se calma la contienda.

Proverbios 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.

Proverbios 26:20 In-Context

18 Como el enloquecido que lanza teas encendidas, flechas y muerte,

19 así es el hombre que engaña a su prójimo, y dice: ¿Acaso no estaba yo bromeando?

20 Por falta de leña se apaga el fuego, y donde no hay chismoso, se calma la contienda.

21 Como carbón para las brasas y leña para el fuego, así es el hombre rencilloso para encender contiendas.

22 Las palabras del chismoso son como bocados deliciosos, y penetran hasta el fondo de las entrañas.