The source of this is Proverbs, xv, 1: ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath; but
grievous words stir up anger.’ If anyone loses his temper and shouts at you,
don’t shout back. By answering him quietly and politely, you are much more
likely to persuade him that he is being unjust and should not have lost his
temper with you. Another proverb teaches us: It takes to to make a quarrel.