“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (Proverbs 15:1-2).
Wisdom with your tongue is seen in both the tone and the content of your words. What you say and how you say something matter.
If your tone is harsh, it will provoke a harsh response. If your tone is tender, it will lower the emotional temperature in the listener and will increase the possibility of getting a receptive hearing.
If the content of your words is accurately informed and free of personal bias, your argument is at its best, persuasively-speaking. If, however, the content of your words is simply a frothing forth of your opinions and feelings, your argument is bereft of any legitimate power to persuade. At this point, many decide that they will have to simply “cancel” anyone who dissents to the foolishness they are spewing.
Speak the truth in love. The tone and content of the wise’s speech is fundamentally different than the foolish.
