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 which you convey it.

"Come here!" I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
"Come here," I sweetly said,
And straight to my lap he crept.

Words may be mild and fair
But the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break the heart.

For words come from the mind,
Cultivated 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, hate,
Envy, and anger are there.

Would you like to avoid the quarrels
And have peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words,
Keep it also out of your voice.