잠언 15:1의 인용 해설

“Judah went up to him” [44:18]. Judah approached Joseph with good words, as King Solomon of blessed memory said, “A gentle response allays wrath; a harsh word provokes anger” [Proverbs 15:1]. The verse teaches us that a person will succeed with soft words on his tongue. So too, Judah saw that Joseph was angry because of the goblet. Therefore, he spoke soft words. He said before Joseph all the words and all the things as it happened, in the hope that he would have compassion.¹Bahya, Vayigash, Introduction.

מענה רך ישיב חמה, ודבר עצב יעלה כעס, “A gentle response turns away wrath; a harsh word causes anger.” (Proverbs 15,1)

Solomon warns us in this verse to train ourselves to become mature enough to respond in measured tones even to extreme provocations. A softly worded reply is apt to reduce the wrath of someone who had expressed himself very angrily. On the other hand, provocative responses are apt to incite the party to whom they are addressed.