Dishonesty always promises more than it can deliver.
The writer of Proverbs uses the vivid image of deceptive gratification when he says, “Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” (Proverbs 20:17) By portraying deceitful gain as delicious in the moment, yet ultimately leading to discomfort and regret, this proverb warns that wrongdoing comes with an inescapable cost. Even though the bread may taste sweet initially, the lasting bitterness of dishonesty is like chewing gravel—unpleasant and damaging. Such falsehood undermines both our relationship with God and our connections within the community, for it erodes trust and violates the principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
This counsel resonates with many other biblical instructions rejecting exploitation and dishonest gain. When Moses appointed judges over Israel, he sought leaders who would “hate dishonest gain” so they would remain incorruptible, refusing bribes and partiality. Later, God reminded His covenant people that “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1), underscoring that any attempt to prosper at another’s expense invites divine displeasure. The immediate profit of lying or fraud may seem “sweet,” but it ultimately leads to remorse and fractured relationships.
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Proverbs 20:17 meaning
The writer of Proverbs uses the vivid image of deceptive gratification when he says, “Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” (Proverbs 20:17) By portraying deceitful gain as delicious in the moment, yet ultimately leading to discomfort and regret, this proverb warns that wrongdoing comes with an inescapable cost. Even though the bread may taste sweet initially, the lasting bitterness of dishonesty is like chewing gravel—unpleasant and damaging. Such falsehood undermines both our relationship with God and our connections within the community, for it erodes trust and violates the principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
This counsel resonates with many other biblical instructions rejecting exploitation and dishonest gain. When Moses appointed judges over Israel, he sought leaders who would “hate dishonest gain” so they would remain incorruptible, refusing bribes and partiality. Later, God reminded His covenant people that “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1), underscoring that any attempt to prosper at another’s expense invites divine displeasure. The immediate profit of lying or fraud may seem “sweet,” but it ultimately leads to remorse and fractured relationships.