and whoever spreads slander is a fool
Slander involves spreading false or damaging information about others, which is condemned throughout Scripture (Exodus 20:16). In ancient Israel, maintaining a good name was crucial, and slander could destroy reputations and communities. The term "fool" in Proverbs often refers to someone who rejects wisdom and moral instruction (Proverbs 1:7). Slander not only harms the victim but also reflects the moral deficiency of the slanderer. The New Testament reiterates this, urging believers to avoid malicious talk (Ephesians 4:31). Jesus, as the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), calls His followers to speak truthfully and lovingly, avoiding deceit and slander.

• Solomon begins with a picture of a heart storing animosity while outwardly pretending all is well. Leviticus 19:17 commands, “You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart,” showing that hidden bitterness is already sin, even before words escape.

• Psalm 55:21 observes, “His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart,” reminding us that camouflaged hatred makes relationships unsafe.

• 1 John 4:20 asserts, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar,” tying concealed hatred directly to deception before God and people.

• Because hatred is being suppressed, whatever is spoken cannot be fully truthful; the lips must lie to mask the resentment. Proverbs 12:22 testifies, “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD,” underlining how seriously God views this disguise.

• Jesus clarifies in Matthew 12:34 that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” so if hatred fills the heart, deception will sooner or later break through in speech or tone.

• The verse shifts from hidden malice to open attacks: “whoever spreads slander.” Here hatred erupts, not with fists, but with damaging stories. Proverbs 16:28 warns, “A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.”

• James 3:6 depicts the tongue as “a fire,” able to set a whole forest ablaze. Slander scorches reputations, churches, and families, often irreversibly.

• Psalm 101:5 shows God’s stance: “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will silence him.” He personally defends the victim of malicious talk.

• Scripture labels the slanderer “a fool,” not merely unwise but morally corrupt. Proverbs 18:2 notes, “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.”

• By defaming others, the fool acts without regard for God’s command to love (John 13:34) and without foresight of the harvest of discord he is sowing (Galatians 6:7–8).

• His behavior proves he lacks the reverent fear of the LORD that marks true wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).

Proverbs 10:18 exposes two faces of hatred: the hidden version that lies to keep up appearances and the outspoken version that vents through slander. Both are condemned—one for deceit, the other for destructive speech—and both reveal a heart distant from the fear of the LORD. God calls us instead to honest, loving relationships where sin is confessed, forgiveness sought, and words become instruments of grace and truth.

Is a fool.--For he does mischief to his neighbour, and only gets ill-will for himself.