Avoiding Strife and Gossip

Proverbs 26:17-22

As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.

As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.

So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.