Proverbs 15:1-17
A soft answer turns away wrath,
Proverbs 15:1
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
So true. How many times have you seen the truth of this proverb play out? And how often has it gone down the positive (soft) path vs. the negative (harsh) one? My guess is we’ve all witnessed the negative version in effect far more often. I daresay we’ve all been there, not just as witnesses, but as participants, giving some harsh word that we’ve later (or instantly!) regretted, because the “conversation” then blew up into an argument or fight. Indeed, how many wars have been fought for lack of decent diplomacy?
Modern (but less eloquent) advice to help in answering well is, “Count to 10.” The intent of that advice is to dissipate some of the emotion, providing the space to respond less rashly and more rationally. But it doesn’t really address the fundamental issue of what the response should be. It may just give more time to come up with a more penetrating, more devastating comment.
In our current political environment, harsh words are all too common (and soft answers all too rare) on both sides. Political leaders on both sides should step away from their heated rhetoric and find softer answers, or we risk serious violence. (If you are about to say that one side is worse than the other, count to ten…)
I love that final sentence in parentheses! It made me laugh – and then count to ten! Thanks for all your wise analysis of these verses! It keeps me on task.