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 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 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 it 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.

~~ Author Unknown ~~