21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; and they have gone down into a person’s innermost being. 23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

Suidas, Cercopes. These were two brothers living upon the earth who practiced every kind of knavery. They were called Cercopes (‘monkey men’) because of their cunning doings: one of them was named Passalus and the other Acmon. Their mother, a daughter of Memnon, seeing their tricks, told them to keep clear of Black-bottom, that is, of Heracles. These Cercopes were sons of the gods Theia and Ocean, and are said to have been turned to stone for trying to deceive Zeus. ‘Liars and cheats, skilled in deeds irremediable, accomplished knaves. Far over the world they roamed deceiving men as they wandered continually.’

21 A hearth is for charcoal and firewood for fire, but a pestilent man tends to disturbance of strife. 22 Words of cunning knaves are soft, and these beat in the chambers of the guts. 23 Silver that is given with deceit is to be considered earthenware; smooth lips conceal a sorrowful heart.