Proverbs 26:20 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out - The tale-receiver and the tale-bearer are the agents of discord. If none received the slander in the first instance, it could not be propagated. Hence our proverb, "The receiver is as bad as the thief." And our laws treat them equally; for the receiver of stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen, is hanged, as well as he who stole them.