Proverbs 26:23

23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata

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 sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
22 verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
24 labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos
25 quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.