--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once…" description: "\"“A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head.”\" — Howard Tayler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/howard-tayler-8412_anger_a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrath-once-wr_1805552.jpg" --- # A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking… ![“A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head.” quote by Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/howard-tayler-8412_anger_a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrath-once-wr_1805552.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/howard-tayler-8412_anger_a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrath-once-wr_1805552.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/howard-tayler-8412_anger_a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrath-once-wr_1805552.jpg) > ““A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head.”” [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A calm response can defuse anger, but once the anger is distracted, decisive action can eliminate the threat. **In simple terms:** Calm words calm anger; act when they’re distracted. Key Takeaway Use calmness first, then act decisively. Themes conflict resolution strategy timing Mood tense strategic Type advice strategic When to use this quote - personal disputes - negotiations - self‑defense - leadership Key Concepts psychology power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When should you choose calm over force? - How do you know the right moment to act? A Different Perspective If the opponent never looks away, calmness alone may not suffice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Wrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrath/) ## Related quotes > [“Maxim 12: A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head. -The Seventy Maxims of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-12-a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrath-once-wrath-is-looking-the/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [There are answers which, in turning away wrath, only send it to the other end of the room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-answers-which-in-turning-away-wrath-only-send-it-to-the-2/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [There are answers which, in turning away wrath, only send it to the other end of the room, and to have a discussion coolly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-answers-which-in-turning-away-wrath-only-send-it-to-the/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [From a just fraud God turneth not away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/from-a-just-fraud-god-turneth-not-away/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [“Whoever said that a soft answer turneth away wroth had never worked in a bar.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/whoever-said-that-a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wroth-had-never-worked/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [A soft answer turneth away wrsth but grievous word sureth anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-soft-answer-turneth-away-wrsth-but-grievous-word-sureth-anger/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A soft drink turneth away company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-soft-drink-turneth-away-company/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (Proverbs 28:9)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/he-that-turneth-away-his-ear-from-hearing-the-law-even-his-prayer/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [Deeply disturbing in a way that only the most honest stories are, YACCUB is a fiercely written, daring journey through America's urban wilderness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-massey/deeply-disturbing-in-a-way-that-only-the-most-honest-stories-are/) Brandon Massey > [I wrote what I did because as a woman, as a mother, I was oppressed and broken-hearted with the sorrows and injustice I saw,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/i-wrote-what-i-did-because-as-a-woman-as-a-mother-i-was-oppressed-and/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Reason finds it difficult to take root in the arid soil of wrath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-freeman/reason-finds-it-difficult-to-take-root-in-the-arid-soil-of-wrath/) [Lucy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-freeman/) > [We Muslims believe that the white race, which is guilty of having oppressed and exploited and enslaved our people here in America, should and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-muslims-believe-that-the-white-race-which-is-guilty-of-having/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [God's wrath is not an implacable, blind rage. However emotional it may be, it is an entirely reasonable and willed response to offenses against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/god-s-wrath-is-not-an-implacable-blind-rage-however-emotional-it-may/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) ## More by Howard Tayler > [Only cheaters prosper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/only-cheaters-prosper/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 34: If you're leaving scorch-marks, you need a bigger gun. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-34-if-you-re-leaving-scorch-marks-you-need-a-bigger-gun-the/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [When the messenger arrives and says 'Don't shoot the messenger,' it's a good idea to be prepared to shoot the messenger, just in case.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/when-the-messenger-arrives-and-says-don-t-shoot-the-messenger-it-s-a/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“New orders: Make sure everybody who doesn't want to live here is aboard in five minutes. We are leaving. -Captain Kevyn Andreyasn”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/new-orders-make-sure-everybody-who-doesn-t-want-to-live-here-is/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 36: When the going gets tough, the tough call for close air support. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-36-when-the-going-gets-tough-the-tough-call-for-close-air/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 30: A little trust goes a long way. The less you use, the further you'll go. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-30-a-little-trust-goes-a-long-way-the-less-you-use-the-further/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 24: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a big gun. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-24-any-sufficiently-advanced-technology-is-indistinguishable/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 27: Don't be afraid to be the first to resort to violence. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-27-don-t-be-afraid-to-be-the-first-to-resort-to-violence-the/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Maxim 37: There is no "overkill." There is only "open fire" and "reload." -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-37-there-is-no-overkill-there-is-only-open-fire-and-reload-the/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Two minutes worth of signal analysis told me all I needed to know. This station "talks" to the dark matter universe about what goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/two-minutes-worth-of-signal-analysis-told-me-all-i-needed-to-know/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Cross it? I'm making plans to destroy the bridge from orbit. -Colonel Ceeta & Captain Tagon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/we-ll-cross-that-bridge-when-we-come-to-it-cross-it-i-m-making-plans/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [The spirit of the law is the least of the things we're prepared to violate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/the-spirit-of-the-law-is-the-least-of-the-things-we-re-prepared-to/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“Welcome to your new bodies, gentlemen. If you'd like, I can help you start your own 'dysmorphia is all in your head' support group.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/welcome-to-your-new-bodies-gentlemen-if-you-d-like-i-can-help-you/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [Maxim 3: An ordnance technician at a dead run outranks everybody. -The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/maxim-3-an-ordnance-technician-at-a-dead-run-outranks-everybody-the/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) > [“You know... confessing to avoid prosecution is a time-honored strategy. I don't want to be honored with time. Honor me with "slap-on-the-wrist," or maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-tayler/you-know-confessing-to-avoid-prosecution-is-a-time-honored-strategy-i/) [Howard Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) [Explore all 81 Howard Tayler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-tayler/) ## More Anger quotes > [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/) [Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/) > [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) [Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A soft answer turneth away wrath. 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