Proverbs 15:1

1. A soft answer turneth away wrath Some imagine a literal translation to be the best. We give a specimen on this verse, divesting the words of their tropical, and restoring their physical, sense. Literal translation: A soft return causeth heat to turn; but a word of pain causes the nose to go up. The tropical sense of these several words amounts to about the same as those in our version; for example: “return” in discourse an answer, or that which is returned; “soft” gentle, kind; “heat” passion, anger, wrath; “causes to turn” turns it back or aside; “a word of pain” that is, one causing pain, or unpleasant feelings; “the nose” or, nostrils; “causes to go up ” shortens or contracts it, as is supposed to be the case in a fit of anger. The word rendered “answer,” in the text, applies to any words, whether those first spoken, or the reply to them. Every one’s observation and experience furnishes a sufficient commentary on this proverb. The power of gentle, good humoured words is often wonderful in subduing angry passions, while those which are sharp and cutting are as apt to excite them. Compare Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 25:15.