Proverbs 15:1 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A soft answer - Gentleness will often disarm the most furious, where positive derangement has not taken place; one angry word will always beget another, for the disposition of one spirit always begets its own likeness in another: thus kindness produces kindness, and rage produces rage. Universal experience confirms this proverb.