Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 26:20-22

"For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts." — Proverbs 26:20-22 (ASV)

Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters.