Proverbs – Chapter 15

Old Testament • 33 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of Proverbs begins: "A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury." Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and justice and care for the poor. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

2The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

3The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

4A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

5A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

6The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

8The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

10Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

12A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

14The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.

17It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

18A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

19The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.

20A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

21Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

22Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

23A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

24The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

28The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.

29The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

31The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

32He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.

33The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.

Important Verses in Proverbs 15

“A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.”

Proverbs 15:4

“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.”

Proverbs 15:9

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.”

Proverbs 15:27

“The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory. ”

Proverbs 15:33

Historical Context

Proverbs addresses the young and all who seek to live skillfully before God within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 15 of 31 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury." It concludes: "The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory. " The wider setting of Proverbs is this: Proverbs distills practical wisdom for daily life—speech, work, friendship, family, money—under one master principle: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Prov 9:10). The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'

When It Was Written

Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 4: "A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit." The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of wisdom for daily living. Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 133).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Proverbs 15 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Proverbs Chapter 15, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the dignity of the human person remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the dignity of the human person bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proverbs Chapter 15 about?

Proverbs 15 contains 33 verses. It opens with "A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury." and closes with "The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory. ". The book as a whole is wisdom sayings and instructions.

What is a key verse in Proverbs 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 4: "A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Proverbs and when?

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'. Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Job 28Shares people and themes with this chapterPsalms 1Shares people and themes with this chapterEcclesiastes 7Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer to the Holy Spirit🙏Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

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