Avoiding the Deceitful Tongue in Proverbs 22:24
Proverbs 22:24 warns, "Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a furious man thou shalt not go" [1]. This verse is part of a collection of wisdom sayings that caution against associating with individuals who exhibit behaviors detrimental to personal and communal well-being.
The surrounding verses in Proverbs 22 offer guidance on various aspects of social interaction and personal conduct. For instance, Proverbs 22:22 advises against robbing the poor, emphasizing God's special concern for the vulnerable [5]. This context suggests that avoiding angry or furious individuals is part of a broader ethic of protecting oneself and others from harm.
The key terms in Proverbs 22:24 are "anger" and "furious." The Hebrew text uses words that convey intense anger or wrath. Associating with such individuals is risky because their behavior can be contagious or lead to being drawn into conflicts [4].
A major exegetical decision involves understanding the nature of the "friendship" or association being warned against. The verse does not prohibit all interaction but advises against forming close or intimate relationships with angry or furious individuals.
Interpretations of Proverbs 22:24 vary. One tradition interprets this as a caution against being influenced by or drawn into the destructive behavior of others [8]. For example, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown relate this verse to avoiding retaliation, citing Matthew 5:43-45 and Romans 12:17 [8].
The deceitful tongue, a related theme, is addressed in other parts of Proverbs and the biblical tradition. Proverbs 4:24 instructs readers to "Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech" [2]. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, discusses the deceitful tongue, highlighting its connection to malice and the pleasure derived from speaking deceitfully [7].
In the broader biblical context, avoiding the deceitful tongue and associating with the angry or furious is linked to maintaining integrity and promoting a community based on truth and peace. Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes deceit and anger under vices to be avoided, citing various biblical references that underscore the importance of honesty and self-control [3, 4].
The patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine, emphasizes the spiritual struggle against deceitful speech and the importance of cultivating virtues that counteract such vices [6, 7, 9].
The warning in Proverbs 22:24 remains relevant in Christian ethics, serving as a reminder to be cautious in choosing one's associations and to prioritize relationships that promote peace and righteousness.
Sources
- Proverbs “Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso : -- Proverbs 22:24”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 4:24 (BSB) — Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Deceit — Is falsehood -- Ps 119:118. The tongue, the instrument of -- Ro 3:13. Comes from the heart -- Mr 7:22. Characteristic of the heart -- Jer 17:9. God abhors -- Ps 5:6. Forbidden -- Pr 24:28; 1Pe 3:10. Christ was perfectly free from -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Saints Free from. -- Ps 24:4; Zep 3:13; Re 14:5. Purposed against. -- Job 27:4. Avoid. -- Job 31:5. Shun those addicted to. -- Ps 101:7. Pray for deliverance from those who use. -- Ps 43:1; 120:2. Delivered from those who use. -- Ps 72:14. Should beware of those who teach. -- Eph 5:6; Col 2:8. Should lay aside”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Injustice — Forbidden -- Le 19:15,35; De 16:19. Specially to be avoided towards The poor. -- Ex 23:6; Pr 22:16,22,23. The stranger and fatherless. -- Ex 22:21,22; De 24:17; Jer 22:3. Servants. -- Job 31:13,14; De 24:14; Jer 22:13. Of the least kind, condemned -- Lu 16:10. God Regards. -- Ec 5:8. Approves not of. -- La 3:35,36. Abominates. -- Pr 17:15; 20:10. Hears the cry of those who suffer. -- Jas 5:4. Provoked to avenge. -- Ps 12:5. Brings a curse -- De 27:17,19. A bad example leads to -- Ex 23:2. Intemperance leads to -- Pr 31:5. Covetousness leads to -- Jer 6:13”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CIX. (21) (part 1): 1. Every one who faithfully readeth the Acts of the Apostles, acknowledgeth that this Psalm containeth a prophecy of Christ; for it evidently appeareth that what is here written, "let his days be few, and let another take his office," is prophesied of Judas, the betrayer of Christ. ... For as some things are said which seem peculiarly to apply to the Apostle Peter, and yet are not clear in their meaning, unless when referred to the Church, whom he is acknowledged to have figuratively represented, on account of the primac”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM L.[10] (part 25): do not say, Thou hast done evil: but they even say, Thou hast done even well: and they know it to be evil: but their mouth aboundeth in malice, and their tongue embraceth deceit. Deceit is a sort of guile in words, of uttering one thing, thinking another. He saith not, thy tongue hath committed deceit or perpetrated deceit, but is order to point out to thee a kind of pleasure taken in the very evil doing, He hath said, "Hath embraced." It is too little that thou doest it, thou art delighted too; thou praisest openly, thou ”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 24:29: Especially avoid retaliation (Mat 5:43-45; Rom 12:17).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXX.(2) (part 2): Such are those who say, And wilt thou do this, that nobody doth? Wilt thou be the only Christian? ... Some deter by dissuasion, others discourage yet more by their praise. For since such is the life that hath for some time been diffused over the world, so great is the authority of Christ, that not even a pagan ventureth to blame Christ.(5) He who cannot be censured is read. They cannot contradict Christ, they cannot contradict the Gospel, Christ cannot be censured; the deceitful tongue turneth itself to praise as an hindra”