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.