So while I was trying to memorize Proverbs 10 (done, by the way, but I think telling you means I just lost my reward in heaven), I had my son help me. And he stopped me at this one:

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Does this means we’re supposed to be open about our hatred?

I suggested not, that we shouldn’t hate at all.

But what if one is in the presence of someone that one justly despises? If it is wrong to have lying lips, what does one say?

I came up with a second option: get into the habit of not saying anything. If you don’t normally speak then you won’t be put in situations that tempt you to have lying lips.

It wasn’t until a week later, or more that I noticed how this proverb works with the next one. In fact, they may really count as one proverb:

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

So there you go.