Thought for Today

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1-2


The adjective soft means tender, gentle and is more than a mild response. It is conciliatory and restores resonableness. Gideon illustrates this kind of answer brings peace (Judges 8:1-3). This contrasts between the "tongue of the wise" and "the mouth of the fool" in which the literal translation is "the fool spouts out nonsense."

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19