Proverbs 12

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (v25).  Our capacity to harm or to bless with our words is one of humanity’s greatest powers. We can make someone “glad” with one kind word.  The proverbs describe wise people as those who use their words for healing, while “there is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts” (v18).  A “fool” is someone who immediately shouts about every “vexation” (frustration or anger), while wise people “ignore and insult” (v16).  

“Those who plan peace have joy” (v20).  Self-control gives us the ability to plan what we say and how we say it, so that our words bring peace.