In the Bible, Proverbs says that a soft answer turns away wrath. The wording comes from Proverbs 15:1, which contrasts a gentle response with harsh speech that provokes anger.
The proverb presents self-control and wise speech as practical ways to defuse conflict. A “soft answer” does not necessarily mean agreeing with someone or avoiding a difficult truth. It describes a calm, measured response that lowers emotional heat instead of adding insult, threat, or provocation.
The second half of the verse completes the contrast: a grievous, harsh, or hurtful word stirs up anger. English Bible translations vary slightly, using words such as “wrath,” “anger,” “rage,” or “fury,” but “wrath” is the traditional answer and the wording used in the King James Version. Proverbs is part of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament’s wisdom literature, a collection focused on conduct, judgment, speech, work, and relationships.