Avoiding Strife and Gossip

Proverbs 26:17-22

Like someone who grabs a dog by the ears is a passer-by who mixes in a fight not his own.

Like a madman shooting deadly arrows and firebrands

is one who deceives another, then says, "It was just a joke."

If there's no wood, the fire goes out; if nobody gossips, contention stops.

As coals are to embers and wood to fire is a quarrelsome person to kindling strife.

A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.