”Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.“
Proverbs 20:17
The verse has a vivid word picture employed. One take looks like this: A soft, slick tongue that deceives others to gain bread for sustenance will find that same smooth talking mouth filled with sharp gritty stones, which tear the softness to shreds.
One idea behind this maxim is future or delayed retribution. This concept is used with regularity in the Proverbs. It is sometimes portrayed, as in this instance, as the use and abuse of a gift or strength for unjust profit will lead to that gift or strength being either destroyed or becoming the vehicle for destruction.
For example, we see a man that is deceitful and the bread eaten is sweet. However, the future will find that same mouth experiencing pain, irritation and a meal of gravel.
Another inference this passage can make is the “bread of deceit is sweet” can be taken to mean the person gains pleasure from deceiving. Not necessarily for personal gain or profit, it can be the person finds the act of lying sweet, like a dessert. Still, the outcome follows the same path. The lie which was so sweet dripping from the lips will be painful and hard to swallow as it returns home to the deceitful heart.