Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 20:12

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Ver. 12. For when wickedness shall be sweet in his mouth, he will hide it under his tongue. 13. 'Wickedness is sweet in the mouth' of the hypocrite, in that evil tastes sweet to him in the thought. For 'the mouth' of the heart is the thought, whereof it is written; Deceitful lips spake evil in a double heart. [Ps. 12, 2] Now the evil that is thus sweet in the mouth of the hypocrite is hidden under the tongue, in that the harshness of an evil disposition, which lies hidden in the mind, is concealed under the cloak of a mild address. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XV ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He shows the reason why he is also punished for sins after death saying, "Since wickedness was sweet in his mouth, he hid it under his tongue." Here he uses the metaphor of a man eating sweet food who does not quickly swallow it, but keeps it in his mouth for a long time so that he may enjoy it longer.

Commentary on Job ↗