| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 13 |
Page 4 |
There is a large field of opportunities for saying kind and loving words, which will do well to others. Many people seem too chary of words of encouragement. They have the kindly thoughts in their heart, but they do not utter them. Of course there are things in many a breast that are better than speech. Some persons indeed boast of saying always just what they think. That is very well so long as they think only nobly, charitably, generously, and lovingly. But saying what one thinks means oftentimes speaking rashly, impulsively, in flashes of anger and bad temper, and then the words are neither wise nor good. “As well say them as think them,” says some one. No. Thinking harsh or unkind things hurts us, but does not yet hurt others. A moment later we shall repent of the bitter thoughts, and if they have not been spoken we will be most thankful that they are not. If they are uttered, however, they crash like darts into tender spirits and we never can withdraw them.
If any little song of mine
May make a heart the lighter,
God help me speak the little word
And take my bit of singing
And drop it in some lonely vale,
To set the echoes ringing.”
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