“IT is such a bother to have to think before you speak!” I heard a boy pettishly remark, when his tutor had reprimanded him for speaking unkindly to, a poor little beggar lad.
Do children, aye, and grown-up people ever pause to remember the mischief their random words may work the cruel sorrows they sometimes inflict? Those who have been friends for years, are often estranged forever, just by some thoughtless words; a little misunderstanding, perchance one unkind remark.
Children, who have been playing together, light-hearted and merry, are deprived suddenly of their enjoyment, because one or two of their playfellows persist in quarreling over a toy. Angry looks, hasty words ensue, and the sunny gladness of a moment ago is clouded o’er by anger’s frowns and a storm of childish tears.
Is it so hard a thing to speak gently, to speak kindly? If you knew the amount of good a few kind words may do, you would try to speak them often, especially to the poor and sad.
Think how hard it is for some of the poor little pauper children; they have no warm nurseries, no pretty toys, nor anything around them bright and nice. Their rooms are dirty and overcrowded, their clothes ragged and thin, and often they cannot even get food to eat.
ML 12/24/1916