THE TONE OF VOICE

It's not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It's not so much the language you use
As the tone in whihc you convey it;
"Come here!" I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
"Come here," I said -
He looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
And the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art -
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care ,
Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words -
Keep it out of your voice.