The Tone of Voice

— Author unknown

It’s not so much what your 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 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 tome 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 nor only out of your words - Keep it out of your voice.