Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
– Proverbs 12:20

Wisdom here considers the results, or by-products, of intentions for others. The word for imagine means to devise and evil is calamity or all sorts of bad. The gain from devising evil is deceit, or treachery. It refers to the state of mind of the one who devises evil. A counsellor is an adviser. The word for peace means well-being or general wholeness or welfare. So the counsellor is promoting peace and speaking peace to others. They gain joy, or happiness, as a result.

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