Don't Answer Unkindly

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Don't answer unkindly when tempted and tried

Author: J. W. Van De Venter
Tune: [Don't answer unkindly when tempted and tried]
Published in 1 hymnal

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Don’t answer unkindly when tempted and tried,
But stop for a moment and pray;
Take time to consider; don’t answer in haste,
But think of the words you would say.

Refrain:
Be careful each day and think what you say,
A word harshly spoken offends;
But love in the voice makes others rejoice,
And brings to your side many friends.

2 Harsh words are like arrows; they pierce to the heart,
They only make sorrow and pain;
The soul that is wounded oft harbors revenge,
And seeks to return them again. [Refrain]

3 Each word that we speak should be uttered with care,
For often they cost us most dear;
They drive from our side our most intimate friends,
And leave us in solitude here. [Refrain]

Source: The Service of Praise #135

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Author: J. W. Van De Venter

Judson W. Van DeVenter was born 15 December 1855 on a farm near the village of Dundee, Michigan. He was educated in the country and village schools, and at Hillsdale College. He later moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He wrote about 100 hymns. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Don't answer unkindly when tempted and tried
Title:	Don't Answer Unkindly
Author:	J. W. Van De Venter
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Be careful each day and think what you say
Publication Date:	1900
Copyright:	This text is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before 1929.