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Christianity

Proverbs 15A Soft Answer

Summary

Proverbs 15 opens with its most famous line: a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Many sayings follow on speech and attitude. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination but the prayer of the upright is his delight, and a merry heart makes a cheerful face. Two better-than sayings praise contentment: better a little with reverence for God, and better a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox with hatred.

Key verse

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

Proverbs 15:1

Themes

  • Gentle Speech
  • Contentment
  • God Sees All
  • Joy

Text

1

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

2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5

A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6

In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10

Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

  • Taoism

    Tao Te Ching 78: Soft Overcomes Hard

    Laozi observes that nothing is softer than water, yet nothing surpasses it for wearing down the hard, and that everyone knows the soft overcomes the hard. Proverbs 15:1 applies a similar insight to conflict and speech.

  • Islam

    Surah Fussilat (41): Repel Evil with Good

    Quran 41:34 says the good deed and the evil deed are not alike: repel evil with what is better, and an enemy may become like a bosom friend. Both texts teach defusing hostility with gentleness.

  • Christianity

    James 1: Slow to Wrath

    James 1:19 to 20 counsels being swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, a New Testament echo of Proverbs 15:1 and 15:18.

Questions about Proverbs 15

What does a soft answer turneth away wrath mean?

Proverbs 15:1 teaches that a gentle, calm reply can calm an angry person, while harsh words escalate conflict.

What does better is a dinner of herbs where love is mean?

Proverbs 15:17 says a simple vegetable meal shared in love is better than a feast of fattened beef with hatred, placing relationships above luxury.