Proverbs 26:20 (BSB)

Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.

From Proverbs 26. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:20

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 26:20-22: Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions of strife and so prevent the mischievous consequences of it. If then we would keep the peace, 1.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 26:20: Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out,.... Or "woods" (h); where there is a large quantity of wood or fuel, the fire is kept up; but where there is little, scarce any or none at all, it goes out of course; So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth; or is silent (i): men cease to quarrel one with another; they hold...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 26:20: The talebearers foster (Pro 16:28), and the contentious excite, strife.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 26:20: Pro 26:20 There now follow proverbs regarding the nirgân, the slanderer (vid., regarding the formation and import of this word at Pro 26:28): 20 Where the wood faileth, the fire goeth out; And where no tale-bearer, discord cometh to silence. Wood, as material for building or for burning, is called, with the plur. of its product, עצים.