Proverbs 15:1

Modern

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Traditional

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Literal

A tender answer turns away rage, and a word of pain raises up anger.

Latin

Responsio mollis frangit iram; sermo durus suscitat furorem.

Hebrew

English

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Controlling emotions and matching them to the situation helps others listen without reacting.

Theme notes and profiles

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
Proverbs 28:25
A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Judges 8:1–3
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.
1 Samuel 25:10–13
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.
1 Kings 12:13–16
And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders
Judges 12:3–6
When I saw that you would not save me, I risked my life and crossed over to the Ammonites, and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come today to fight against me?”
1 Samuel 25:21–33
Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good.