Meaning, commentary and cross references
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
NIV · New International Version
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
WEB · World English Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
What does Proverbs 15:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath,.... Mild words, gentle expressions, delivered with kindness and tenderness, humility and submission; these will work upon a man's passions, weaken his resentments, and break and scatter the storm of wrath raised in his breast, just breaking forth in a very boisterous and blustering manner; so high winds are sometimes laid by soft showers. Thus the Ephraimites were pacified by Gideon's mild answer; and David by Abigail's very submissive and respectful address, Judges 8:1; but grievous words stir up anger; such as are rough and menacing, scornful and sneering, reproachful and reviling, proud, haughty, and overbearing; like those of Jephthah to the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Proverbs 15:1
Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us, 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how in our places to keep it; it is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Jdg 8:1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness, they were exasperated, and the consequences were bad, Jdg 12:1-3.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Proverbs 15:1–4 (WEB)
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly. 3The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
Cross references
- Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
- Proverbs 25:15
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
- Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
- Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
- Proverbs 28:25
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
- Judges 8:1–3
The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply.
- 1 Kings 12:13–16
The king answered the people roughly, and abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him,
- 1 Samuel 25:10–13
Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days.