V. 17, Mr. Holding has an obvious history of "exposing" strifes in the lives of his critics. That's at issue in the current libel lawsuit against him.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. (Prov. 26:17-22 NAU)
v. 18, you cannot escape the condemnation in this verse by pretending that your hurling of arrows was for the cause of "truth". the person you give that defense to would have to decide whether you are being honest or are instead trying to mask your sinful love of gossip and meddling.
v. 20, the ending of "contention" is presumed a good think to the author. You cannot escape the condemnation in that verse by saying you started a contention and strife "in the name of truth". The person yo make that excuse to will have to decide whether you are being honest or dishonest about your alleged concern for "truth", and there is a possibility they will conclude that you couldn't care less about truth, you just love gossip.
v. 21, a general love of starting contentions and strifes is condemned by this author, and given Holding's history of it, no, his excuse that he only does it for the sake of the truth, is bullshit. Holding has a genetic defect that causes him to love strife more than the average person.
Inerrantist Christian scholar D.A. Garrett:
Type: Thematic (26:17–22). These proverbs discuss anyone who involves himself or herself in the affairs of others, who spreads gossip, or is a general source of mischief. Metaphors of violence and destruction dominate this text since these qualities characterize the aftereffects of the busybody.
26:17 Verse 17 could be translated, “Like one who seizes the ears of a passing dog is the one who meddles.”Busybodies cannot resist the temptation to inject themselves into private disputes, and they have no excuse for being surprised at the violent outbursts that are sure to follow.
26:18–19 Verses 18–19 could be taken to condemn any kind of antics (such as modern practical jokes played on a groom on his wedding day). While practical jokes can be destructive and hurtful, the larger context here implies that such may not be precisely the nature of the deceit implied here. Rather, this is a person who enjoys gossiping about or tampering with the affairs of other people. Such a person will purposefully confuse others and engage in a kind of social disinformation. When called to account, he or she will treat the whole thing as a game and be oblivious to all the hurt such actions created.
26:20–22 Verses 20–21 describe the slanderer as the fuel that maintains quarrels. In the absence of such a person, old hurts can be set aside, and discord can die a natural death. Even so, we often find a juicy tidbit of defamation irresistible. Verse 22 is a direct warning to the reader. Gossip makes its way to the innermost being of the hearer; that is, it corrupts the soul.Garrett, D. A. (2001, c1993). Vol. 14: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songsLogos Library System; The New American Commentary (Page 214).
