A-Z: Common sayings from the Bible: Kind word turns away anger

Usage

Gracious words spoken to an angry person can defuse their anger.

Definition

The modern proverb is probably a conflation of the two parts of the verse; the same process happens in 'pride goes before a fall'.

Bible References

Proverbs 15:1

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ²The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. ³The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. ⁴A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. ⁵A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ⁶In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. ⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. ⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. ⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. ¹⁰There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. ¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! ¹²A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. ¹³A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. ¹⁴The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. ¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. ¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. ¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. ¹⁹The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. ²⁰A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. ²²Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. ²³To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! ²⁴The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. ²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries. ²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. ²⁷Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. ²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. ²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. ³¹The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. ³²Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. ³³The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. ²The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. ³The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. ⁴A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. ⁵A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. ⁶In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. ⁷The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. ⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. ⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. ¹⁰Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. ¹¹Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? ¹²A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. ¹³A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. ¹⁴The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. ¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. ¹⁶Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. ¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. ¹⁸A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. ¹⁹The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. ²⁰A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. ²¹Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. ²²Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. ²³A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! ²⁴The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. ²⁵The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. ²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. ²⁷He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. ²⁸The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. ³¹The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. ³²He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. ³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

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