but later his mouth is full of gravel
The imagery of a mouth full of gravel starkly contrasts with the initial sweetness, symbolizing the eventual consequences of deceit. Gravel represents discomfort, pain, and the destruction of satisfaction. This reflects the biblical principle that sin ultimately leads to negative outcomes, as seen in Galatians 6:7, which states that a man reaps what he sows. The historical context of this proverb would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with the unpleasantness of having grit in one's mouth, illustrating the inevitable bitterness and regret that follow dishonest actions. This phrase serves as a warning that the initial pleasure of sin is short-lived and ultimately leads to ruin, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of the consequences of sin and the call to righteousness.

Proverbs often place two images side-by-side so we can feel the contrast. Here, the scene moves from an initial thrill (“sweet”) to an ugly, unexpected result (“mouth is full of gravel”). This verse sits in a chapter filled with warnings against deception and shortcuts (see Proverbs 20:10, 23).

• “Sweet” hints at an immediate, sensual payoff. The stolen or deceitfully earned meal tastes better—so it seems—because it was obtained without honest labor.

• Proverbs 9:17 echoes the same illusion: “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

• Yet God consistently exposes the lie that sin brings lasting pleasure. Proverbs 10:2 reminds us, “Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing.”

• The sweetness can include anything secured by dishonesty—crooked business deals, fudged expense reports, tax fraud, plagiarism. For a moment it feels like we got away with something.

• “Later” signals the inescapable time lag between sin and consequence (Galatians 6:7).

• “Gravel” paints a jarring picture: what once felt like soft bread now grinds the teeth, injures the gums, and can’t be swallowed. Lamentations 3:16 uses similar language when Jeremiah says the Lord “has broken my teeth with gravel.”

• Job 20:12-16 describes wicked gain turning to “the venom of cobras” in the stomach—another vivid aftertaste.

• The consequence isn’t only internal guilt; it can surface as reputational ruin, legal penalty, broken relationships, or spiritual barrenness (Numbers 32:23; Psalm 32:3-4).

• Sin deceives (Hebrews 3:13). It promises more than it can deliver and hides the price tag.

• God’s moral order guarantees harvest after sowing. Dishonesty eventually exhausts the body (Psalm 32:3-4), empties the wallet (Proverbs 13:11), and hardens the soul (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

• The collision with reality often comes suddenly—like biting down on stones hidden in bread.

• Practice full transparency in financial dealings—no “creative” numbers, no partial truths (Proverbs 16:11; Ephesians 4:25).

• Celebrate delayed gratification: honest earnings may come slower, but they bring peace and God’s favor (Proverbs 10:22).

• Confront small compromises early; a soft conscience is easier to guard than a shattered reputation (Proverbs 4:23).

• If past fraud is uncovered, confess, make restitution where possible (Luke 19:8), and accept God’s cleansing (1 John 1:9).

Proverbs 20:17 warns that stolen sweetness cannot last. Ill-gotten gain may thrill for a moment, but God’s unchanging justice turns the flavor to gravel. Honesty, though sometimes slower and harder, spares us the broken teeth of regret and fills us instead with lasting satisfaction and the blessing of a clear conscience.

Φεῦγ ἡδονὴν φέρουσαν ὕστερον βλάβην

"Sperne voluptates: nocet empta dolore voluptas." Oort supposes that the gnome in the text is derived from a riddle, which asked, "What is sweet at first, but afterwards like sand in the mouth?"

Parallel Commentaries ...