Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin. As to the flatterer, he is the most dangerous of characters. He attacks at points where men are naturally most successfully assailable; where they are most in danger of being thrown off their guard and giving him admission. And when by his flatteries he has thus got the mastery, then follows the execution of the end for which they were employed — "worketh ruin." The expression is strong, but not stronger than experience justifies. It even works ruin to the most interesting characters — characters admired and worthy of the admiration — by infusing a principle that spoils the whole, the principle of vanity and self-conceit. They thus lose their loveliest and most engaging attraction. And whatever be the selfish object of the flatterer, his selfishness obtains its gratification by the ruin of him whom his flatteries have deceived. (R. Wardlaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.WEB: A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin. |
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