“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 16:1 (NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

³ The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

⁴ The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit

* * *

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

    but the hearts of fools are not upright.