Proverbs 15

"A gentle answer turns away wrath" opens a chapter about the power of words and the heart's inner weather: a joyful heart, a cheerful heart that has "a continual feast." Better a little with God than treasure with turmoil, and better vegetables with love than steak with hatred. Rejecting correction is a form of self-hatred, so receiving it is self-respect.

"Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred." (Proverbs 15:17)

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

Versions/Hebrew: 15:32 "despises himself" is mo'es nafsho [3988, 5315], rejects his own soul (KJV "despiseth his own soul"). Proverbs treats teachability as right love of self.