Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
In context
17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. 18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death 19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Compare in other versions
- KJV King James Version
— Proverbs 26:20 in the KJV
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
- NIV New International Version
— Proverbs 26:20 in the NIV
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.