It's not so much what we say
as the manner in which we say it
It's not so much the language we use
as the tone in which we convey it
"Come here!" I sharply ordered
and a child cowered and wept
"Come here," I softly whispered
and into my arms he crept
Words may be mild and fair
but the tone pierces like a dart
Words may be soft as summer air
but the tone can break a heart
(Author unknown)