Speak gently! It is better far
To rule by love, than by fear –
Speak gently! – let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here!
Speak gently! – Love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently Friendship’s accents flow;
Affections’s voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child!
It’s love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild: -
It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart!
Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;
Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word!
Speak gently to the erring – know
They may have toiled in vain;
Perhance unkindness made them so;
Oh, win them back again!
Speak gently! – ‘tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring
Eternity shall tell.
- A poem by David Bates
This poem of David Bates is part of my son's English Poetry in St. VII.
I had to do a project for him on great poets like R L Stevenson, Leo Tolstoy, Laura E Richards and David Bates. I’d almost decided on Leo Tolstoy considering him a well renowed name and writer. However, when I was taking his studies this poem struck me as being the very essence of what I have come to believe in. Speaking kindly!, even if the opposite person decides he wants to be rude and insult you to the core, never let your emotions get the better of you and show him that you are a better person.
You see life and situations don’t abide by any rules, however, there is a certainty that everyone will surely be handed out what they once dished out to others. I’ve faced it many times and hence, it has humbled me to view life with a new perspective. One can never ever tell what situation and circumstances we may face in future. Presently, may be you are in charge and have tremendous power over those under you. Tomorrow, things may not be the same. But those you’ve treated with whatever, kindness or hatred will never forget. In fact the most oppressed of the lot never forget their tormentors. Because, emotions are remembered far more strongly than words. Today, if one forgets themselves at the height of their power and wields it with arrogance or impunity, then karma has a funny way of catching up at the most unexpected of times.
Never mind that people speak behind your back,judge you, make fun of you or bad mouth you to others (calumny). Maybe you know that they do something that like and you have evidence of it. Rather than choosing to confront speak kindly, be professional or atleast behave like one. Remember this saying,
When a bird is alive... it eats ants. When the bird has died.... ants eat it. One tree can be made into a million matchsticks... but only one matchstick is needed to burn a million trees!
Circumstances can change at any time... Don't devalue or hurt anyone in this life.
So “speak gently”, a word of comfort or kindness, a shoulder to lean on. Today, if you have power, use it to empower those who could benefit from it. Give them what every human being desires freedom to think and act freely and responsibly without looking over their shoulders. Believe me liberated personnel are far more capable of delivering a greater result than a one subjugated to harassment and pressure. Today more than ever, individuals want a chance to exert their freedom, and they care two hoots about you or your arrogance, they would rather walk out than suffer in silence. There are greener pastures to explore than to live on bread and water.
So speak gently, to the poor, the weak, the hyperactive, to the slow learner, to the timid, the elderly, to the hard of hearing, to the one with poor communication skills, to the stubborn child, the temperamental boss! Everyone! You don’t loose anything by being nice. But you can walk with your head held up high for being the better person.
