Proverbs 15 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Proverbs 15 gathers short sayings about speech, correction, humility, and reverence for God. It contrasts anger with gentleness, foolishness with wisdom, and pride with teachability. The chapter also shows how the Lord sees hearts, hears prayer, and values a life shaped by righteousness.

What happens in Proverbs 15?

This chapter teaches that words can heal or harm, and that gentle, thoughtful speech often prevents conflict. It contrasts wise and foolish responses to correction, showing that those who accept discipline gain understanding. Proverbs 15 also highlights the difference between outward religion and true uprightness, stressing that God delights in the prayer of the righteous. Alongside these moral contrasts are repeated reminders about contentment, peace, wise counsel, and self-control. The chapter closes by tying wisdom to reverence for the Lord and humility before honor.

Proverbs 15 continues the large section of Solomon's sayings that began in Proverbs 10. Many of the verses use sharp contrasts to teach practical wisdom for everyday life. Here the focus falls especially on speech, correction, inner attitudes, and the kind of life that pleases God and benefits others.

Themes to notice

SpeechWise, gentle words calm conflict, encourage others, and bring life instead of damage.
CorrectionReceiving discipline and counsel leads to understanding, while resisting it leads to harm.
ReverenceThe fear of the Lord shapes wisdom, humility, prayer, and a life that honors God.

Questions for Proverbs 15

What do these verses teach about the power of words in conflict and relationships?
How does Proverbs 15 describe the difference between a wise person and a fool when corrected?
Which sayings in this chapter connect wisdom with the fear of the Lord?

Read the full text of Proverbs 15 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Proverbs 15

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

observing the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure,

but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but not so the hearts of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD,

but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked,

but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path;

he who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—

how much more the hearts of men!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved,

nor will he consult the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,

but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are bad,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns,

but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment,

but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—

and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise,

that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud,

but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household,

but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart,

and good news nourishes the bones.

31He who listens to life-giving reproof

will dwell among the wise.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself,

but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

What happens in Proverbs 15?

Themes to notice

Questions for Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15

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