15 A gentle answer^(A) turns away wrath,^(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,^(A)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.^(B)

⁴ The soothing tongue^(A) is a tree of life,^(B)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.^(C)

¹¹ Like apples^[a] of gold in settings of silver^(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.