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“THE TONE OF VOICE”

“It is not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It is not so much the language you use,
As the tones in which you convey it.

“‘Come here!’ I sharply said,
And baby cowered and wept;
‘Come here,’ I cooed, and he looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.

“The words may be mild and fair,
And the tones may pierce like a dart;
The words may be soft as summer air,
And the tones may break the heart.

“For words but come from the mind,
And grow by study and art,
But the tones leap forth from the inner self
And reveal the state of the heart.

“Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,
Envy and anger are there.

“Then, would you quarrels avoid,
And in peace and love rejoice,
Keep anger not only out of your words,
But keep it out of your voice.”

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— February 15, 1915 —