Most of us have probably heard this: "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." This phrase has been passed down for generations.
Who was the wise man that said it? Paul? Solomon? Jesus? It was none other than Thumper, the rabbit from the movie Bambi. Wise words for a little rabbit, but it was Solomon that spoke the wise words from Proverbs 15:1.
It is not always easy to be the "bigger" person when tempers flare, and we have been told to sometimes "fight fire with fire." Solomon advises the exact opposite, and use gentle words to deflect anger.
Think back on your own experiences: how many times when you responded to anger with anger did you feel better? Do you think the situation was improved?
It is certainly not the case in my experience. Fighting fire with fire, anger with anger, only begets more fire and anger.
The wise man replies with a cooler head, a softer answer, to turn away wrath.
If a person is angry with you, it is almost always better to respond gently, even apologetically. Anger and conflict resolution was a matter of life, death, peace, and war in the times of Solomon, but are times so different today? Think of what is going on in the world today: would the world not be a much better place if proud people approached each other gently?
Do not proliferate anger and hate. The Bible gives many examples of how to react in wrathful situations and the kind of people that God rewards:
Proverbs 1
