A Poem About Language
"These verses I read when I was a little boy, and they made a deep impression on me. I hope they will touch your hearts.":
"When you tell a filthy story,
Do you ever stop to think
What impression you have made upon the crowd?
Do you think the boys enjoy it?
Do you think because they laugh
That you have sufficient reason to be proud?
Do you know that you exhibit
All that is within your soul,
When the filthy story passes from your tongue?
It reveals your own defilement,
It proclaims your ignorance,
It disgusts all decent boys who love real fun.
Do you think that you exhibit
Any real common sense,
When you show the crowd how rotten is your mind?
Do you know that you dishonor
Both your parents and your friends?
Think it over, boy, and that is what you'll find.
Be a little choice in language;
Be a little more refined,
If respect of those around you you would win.
You will have a great advantage
Over those who are inclined
To go through life in filth and slime and sin."