Proverbs 26:17-21

Proverbs 26:17-21
​English Standard Version
​17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

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These verses today have to do with someone who is quarrelsome (wants to fight, either verbally or physically).    They walk around with a chip on both shoulders.  Solomons first advice is to not get in the middle of someone else's quarrel.  When possible, stay out of it.  You're asking for trouble--like if you tried to grab a wild dog by its ears and expect the dog to not bite you.  If you get in the middle of the quarrel, you will not come out unharmed.

Do not hide behind an excuse of "I was only joking" when saying mean, cruel, and hateful things.  These words are as painful as firebrands, arrows, and may even lead unto death in the most severe cases.  Instead, Solomon tells us to ignore the quarrelsome person and gossips so that we will not fuel the fire they are trying to stoke.  Without fuel, the fire will go out on its own, but if anyone adds wood to these hot embers that are in the midst of going out, they will quickly take off again.  The strife will start all over again as soon as there someone to fuel the fire.