Answers and Quotes About Them

These are the words of Solomon the King, well-known for his excellent wisdom and it is from His proverbs that I gathered some great advice concerning answers and answering.

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, o that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?" Proverbs 22: 17-21

"He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame." Proverbs 18:13

Has it happened to you that you had someone who supposed they knew what you were going to ask and they gave you the answer before you finished your request (but it was not what you meant, it was only their supposition)? It is annoying especially when it becomes a habit and you have to live with that companion (colleague, friend etc) every day …

"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." Proverbs 24:26

Sounds rather romantic, doesn’t it? But just picture those moments in your life when you suffered injustice and you really felt the urge for honesty! You would have been so satisfied if someone had told the truth, if somebody had brought to light your right standing regarding the issue in question. It is when we are involved that we feel most the value of truth being told, it is indeed a veritable demonstration of love.

"The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil." Proverbs 15:28

Don’t be afraid to pause and think before giving an answer, it is not a sign of weakness; on the contrary, it is wise and you will receive a positive feedback from the one questioning you as you are seriously considering his problem.

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself." Proverbs 26:4

"Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes." Proverbs 26:5

These two proverbs seem tricky at first glance one says you should answer a fool according to his folly the other says you shouldn’t. It is obvious a matter of "right time" to apply both of them. For instance, if someone yells at you for no reason and does it once (being a rather isolate case and you don’t have to deal with that on daily bases) if you let your emotions get high and answer the same manner, well, a good advice is not to do that so that you would avoid being like that individual yourself. However, the situation changes when you have to work with someone and he/she does the same foolish thing over and over, like a habit. You will have to stand at some point (preferably before you get all upset and you lose your temper too) and tell him/her to his face that you will not tolerate that behavior any longer. Maybe the "fool" doesn’t even realize how he acts and if you don’t want to face the same damage every day…you will have to put an end to it.

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

"A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly." Proverbs 18:23

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

"The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly." Proverbs 26:16

"Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt." Proverbs 27:11

"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything." Ecclesiastes 10:19

"I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation." Psalm 118:21
I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. Psalm 120:1