TNK - Mary Ann Pietzker

“Is It True? Is It Necessary? Is It Kind?

Oh! Stay, dear child, one moment stay,

   Before a word you speak,

That can do harm in any way

   To the poor, or to the weak;

And never say of any one

   What you’d not have said of you,

Ere you ask yourself the question,

   ”Is the accusation true?”

And if ’tis true, for I suppose

   You would not tell a lie;

Before the failings you expose

   Of friend or enemy:

Yet even then be careful, very;

   Pause and your words well weigh,

And ask it it be necessary,

   What you’re about to say.

And should it necessary be,

   At least you deem it so,

Yet speak not unadvisedly

   Of friend or even foe,

Till in your secret soul you seek

   For some excuse to find;

And ere the thoughtless word you speak,

   Ask yourself, “Is it kind?”

When you have ask’d these questions three—

   True,—Necessary,—Kind,—

Ask’d them in all sincerity,

   I think that you will find,

It is not hardship to obey

   The command of our Blessed Lord,—

No ill of any man to say;

   No, not a single word.