(NOTE: Whether one speaks inappropriately of another or to another, inappropriate speech is not to be found among God's children (or, for that matter, in decent society). The following poem is an encouragement to all of us to consider carefully what we say to and about others. Tim)
It’s
sad to consider how mean some folks are,
They
say hurtful things without giving it thought;
The
good names of others their ugly words mar,
Why
do they say the things they know they should not?
Some
people don’t know what they’re talking about,
They
just open their mouth and the words fall out.
If
only they would with others trade places,
Perhaps
they wouldn’t say some of what they say;
Such
conduct all decent people disgraces,
Remember:
The Lord said, “For your words you’ll pay”.
Some
people don’t know what they’re talking about,
They
just open their mouth and the words fall out.
Never
say of another what is not true,
Treat
each person as you’d like to be treated;
Pretend
that the subject of your words is you…
The
words you now speak cannot be deleted.
Some
people don’t know what they’re talking about,
They
just open their mouth and the words fall out.
The
true harm of slander is not just to one,
For
we all suffer when untruths are spoken;
The
time to stop slander is before it’s done:
Your
words of your character are a token.
Some
people don’t know what they’re talking about,
They
just open their mouth and the words fall out.
Think
ev’ry thing through, and then say what is right,
Be
master of your mouth – don’t let it run free…
The
honest and upright have no fear of light,
There’s
just one thing such don’t want others to see:
They
don’t really know what they’re talking about,
They
just open their mouth and the words fall out.
……….H. L. Gradowith……….
02-22-2002