Wise Counsel

Listen from:
In every face there is a door
Through which a thousand words, or more,
Go rushing every day,
While you’re at work or play.
If kindly ones would come tiptoe,
Throw wide the door; they’re needed so.
But when cross words would scramble out,
And take with them a frown and pout,
Then quickly turn the key,
And very quiet be.
“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
“Behold, also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
ML-03/13/1960