The Two Kidneys That Counsel a Person Toward Good and Evil

(Proverbs 12:20): "Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy" - Rabbi Chama bar Chanina said: Anyone who speaks with his fellow, and eats and drinks with him, and tells slander about him - the Holy One, blessed be He, calls him evil, as it is written: "Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil." But anyone who does not eat and drink with his fellow, and does no business dealing with him, yet speaks good things about him - the Holy One, blessed be He, calls him peace, as it is said "but those who counsel peace have joy." Rabbi Zeira understood it in another aspect: Anyone who lies upon his bed at night and considers in his heart, saying "I will rise early tomorrow and do good with so-and-so," he is destined to rejoice with the righteous in the Garden of Eden in the time to come, as it is said "but those who counsel peace - have joy." Rav Huna said: What did Scripture see to say "counselors" [in the plural] and not say "counselor"? Rabbi Levi said: These are the two kidneys that counsel a person, one toward good and one toward evil, the right one toward good and the left one toward evil, as it is written (Ecclesiastes 10:2): "The heart of a wise man is at his right, but the heart of a fool is at his left." And so David said (Psalms 7:10): "And the righteous God tries the hearts and the kidneys." Now does a person have two hearts? You must say: one is the good inclination and one is the evil inclination; and the kidneys - these are the two kidneys of a person, which counsel him, as it is said "those who counsel peace have joy." And not only that, but they are called righteous - when? At the time when they counsel a person toward good, as it is written (Psalms 32:11): "Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright of heart." (Proverbs 12:21): "No iniquity shall befall the righteous" - at the time when he walks in his innocence; "but the wicked are filled with evil" - this is one who speaks one thing with the mouth and another in the heart. And not only that, but the Holy One, blessed be He, calls him an abomination, as it is said (Proverbs 12:22): "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD." "But those who deal faithfully are His delight" - this is one who conducts his business dealings in good faith. (Proverbs 12:23): "A prudent man conceals knowledge" - this is one who does not grow proud in his Torah; "but the heart of fools proclaims folly" - this is one who grows proud in his Torah. Rabbi Zeira understood it in another aspect: [text uncertain]