10 As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn. As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger. (WEB) 11 A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; and hasty fighting sheds blood. (WEB) 12 If you blow on a spark, it will burn; and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched. Both of these come out of your mouth. (WEB)
Sirach 28:10–12
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 26:20–22
20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. 21 Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
Proverbs 29:21–23
21 A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end. 22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Sirach 11:31–33
31 For he lies in wait to turn things that are good into evil, and assigns blame in things that are praiseworthy. (WEB) 32 From a spark of fire, a heap of many coals is kindled, and a sinful man lies in wait to shed blood. (WEB) 33 Take heed of an evil-doer, for he plans wicked thi… (WEB)
Sirach 22:23–25
23 Gain trust with your neighbor in his poverty, that in his prosperity you may have gladness. Stay steadfast to him in the time of his affliction, that you may be heir with him in his inheritance. (WEB) 24 Before fire is the vapor and smoke of a furnace, so insults prece… (WEB)
Sirach 8:2–4
2 Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings. (WEB) 3 Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man. Don’t heap wood upon his fire. (WEB) 4 Don’t make fun of a rude man, lest your ancestors be dishonored. (WEB)
Proverbs 30:32–33
32 If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. 33 For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”
Proverbs 15:17–19
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. 19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 18:5–7
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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