Speak Not Harshly

Speak not harsh­ly when re­prov­ing

Those from du­ty’s path who stray;

If we would re­claim the err­ing

Kindness must each act­ion sway.

Speak not harsh­ly to the way­ward—

Win their con­fi­dence—their love;

They will feel how pure the mo­tive

That hath led us to re­prove.

Speak not harsh­ly to the strang­er

Thou he come in hum­ble guise;

Think how slight a thing would kin­dle

Gladness in a strang­er’s eyes.

Speak not harsh­ly to the fel­on

Though like ada­mant his heart;

Touch one chord of fond af­fect­ion

And the scald­ing tear may start.

Speak not harsh­ly to the or­phan

They have borne of grief their share;

Add not to their hea­vy bur­den

Add not to cor­rod­ing care.

Speak not harsh­ly

was the pre­cept

Which to man the Sav­ior taught—

May that pre­cept ev­er guide us—

Gentle words will cost us naught.