It's not so much what you say,
As the manner in which you say it;
It's not so much the language you use,
As the tone in which you convey it.
'Come here, ' I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
'Come here, ' I said; he looked and smiled,
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair,
But the tone may pierce like dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air,
But the tone may break my heart.
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art,
But tone leaps from the inner self,
Revealing the state of heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you're mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,
Envy, anger are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words,
Keep it out of your voice.
Is Tone Of Voice a poem you claim you wrote? Or is it one you found and submitted? Because the author credit should say Author Unknown. I know this because I own the book this poem is in. The book is called, Poems That Touch the Heart.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The majority of the references seem to be from 1905-1910, and from 1890-1900. Early publication with author unknown seems to have had a _revival_ at the turn of the _previous_ century in the journals and magazines of various temperance, christian, professional or fraternal organizations.