Proverbs 4:17

17 Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

Proverbs 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness
Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it; and drink the wine of violence:
either that which is obtained by rapine and violence; or they as greedily commit such acts of oppression and injury as a man drinks a glass of wine; they do not drink up iniquity like water only, but even like wine, the most generous and delicious. Wherefore all society with such men should be avoided.

Proverbs 4:17 In-Context

15 Don't do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way.

16 Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone.

17 Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

18 The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.

19 The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over.