Gentleness.

"A real gentleman is a combination of gentle strength and strong gentleness."

-George Monaghan

"Anger is quieted by a gentle word, just as fire is quenched by water."

-Megiddo Message

"Some arguments are sound, and nothing more."

-Richard Armour

"Never argue with a man who talks loud. You couldn't convince him in a thousand years."

-Megiddo Message

"Sometimes the only thing an argument proves is that two or more people are present!"

-Anonymous

"I have often regretted my speech, never my silence."

-Publius

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger."

-Proverbs 15:1 NLT

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law" (Galatians 5:22). Gentle answers are the products of gentleness. Now that's not hard to understand, is it? And gentleness is the product of the Holy Spirit indwelling the lives of yielded believers.

There is much to be said of gentle answers:

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Want to limit the anger around you? Try gentle answers. Flying off the handle only increases our chances of knock-down-drag-out arguments that make people angry. Sometimes harsh words even lead to violence and death. That leads us to a choice: a gentle answer or harsh words? Peace or wrath?

"Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). Gentle words are most often words of honest encouragement and/or correction. When words are deceitful and misleading they can crush the spirit and discourage the heart. Gentle words of encouragement and correction can lift the spirit and encourage the heart. Another choice: gentle word or deceitful tongue? Life and health or crushed spirits?

"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time" (Proverbs 15:23). There's not even a choice! Say the right thing at the right time! These are words that everyone enjoys. Of course, there is never a right time to say the wrong things!

A few more verses to digest:

"A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them" (Proverbs 15:18).

"Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush opposition" (Proverbs 25:15).

King David spoke of his problem tongue this way in Psalm 39:1:

"I said to myself, 'I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.'"

If the gentle answers are rare in what we say, this should be our prayer and commitment, "I will . . . not sin in what I say." There you have it. We must make a conscious effort to curb what we say and how we say it. So how do we do that?

Think before we speak! Instead of putting the mouth in motion before the brain is in gear, idle a few seconds giving the mind some time to think things through, organize the words, turn down the volume, and gently speak. What I'm about to say, is it kind or cutting? True or false? Fact or rumor? Necessary or not? Grateful or complaining?

Speak less! "Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow" (Proverbs 10:19). The more we talk the more chances we have to lose our cool, say the wrong thing, and make someone angry. Let's make our words encouraging, helpful, and thoughtful: the right words at the right time.

Start right now! If we haven't already started, right now would be the time to do so.

Will Noris, an American journalist wrote this little rhyme:

If your lips would keep from slips

Five things observe with care:

To whom you speak, of whom you speak,

And how . . . and when . . . and where.

That's worth memorizing!