Cruel Words Are Arrows and Strife Dies Without Fuel

Midrash Mishlei 26:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Proverbs 26:18): "Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death" - Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon said: Anyone who sits and deceives his fellow with cruel words is as though he shoots arrows and death at him. (Proverbs 26:19): "So is the man who deceives his fellow and says, 'Was I not only joking?'" What is written after it? (Proverbs 26:20): "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, strife falls silent." Just as with fire, in a place where there is no wood there is no fire, so too in a place where there is no slander, strife falls silent. What is written after it? (Proverbs 26:21): "Coal for embers and wood for fire, and a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."

Themes

SpeechEthics

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