“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly…A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs 26:20-26, 28).
Flatterers
Flattery is one of several avenues of lying. A flatterer intentionally uses insincere praise to manipulate others. Flattering lips speak warm words of praise but not from the heart. Like a vessel made out of impure silver, flattery is the practice of fraudulent, toxic people.
Insincere praise is like a cheap perfume unsuccessfully striving to imitate an expensive one: it stinks. Having insincere, dishonest people in your life is never good.
Beware and avoid flatterers.
