19 than to cheat someone and say,“I was only fooling!”
20 Where there is no fuela fire goes out;where there is no gossiparguments come to an end.
21 Troublemakers start trouble,just as sparks and fuelstart a fire.
22 There is nothing so deliciousas the taste of gossip!It melts in your mouth.
23 Hiding hateful thoughtsbehind smooth talkis like coating a clay potwith a cheap glaze.
24 The pleasant talkof an enemyhides more evil plans
25 than can be counted—so don't believe a word!