Proverbs 15:1 — a soft answer turns away wrath; applies both to interpersonal conflict and internal self-talk.

Mike recounts a high-school incident where a driver yelled at him about broken brake lights. Instead of retaliating, he responded respectfully ('I'm sorry, sir') and the man immediately de-escalated. He then extends the principle inward: in internal monologue and private rumination, using soft inner words (charitable assumptions about others) can also dissipate one's own anger before it escalates.