Untamed | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 17, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 48.

Untamed.

SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, the conqueror of Napoleon, was, it is said, once utterly routed and put to flight by a scolding farm-wife, whose sitting hens his horse had disturbed. "I would rather face a park of artillery than listen to her five minutes longer," he said.

Madame de Staël, who was able to charm all the world by her brilliant conversation, had, we are told, a similar encounter with an angry Breton peasant, and retreated before the vehement abuse, utterly dismayed and silenced. "I could not use her weapons," was her excuse.

"Never argue with an angry woman," said an old French writer, "or try to dam a foul flood. Stand aside and let them pass."

The effect and quality of a scolding tongue were known ages ago. "Better to dwell in a corner of the house-top," said Solomon, "than with a brawling woman in a wide house;" and again, "Pleasant words are sweet to the soul."

Young girls are apt to devote a great deal of anxious consideration and effort to the means of making themselves attractive and beloved. They study their looks, their gait; they strive eagerly to present to the world tasteful costumes, white hands, pretty feet, to sing well, to play with skill, to dance with grace, and all the while they too often drive away friends and admirers by silly chatter, slang, or ill-natured gossip.

"I find it easy," said a well-known instructress of girls, "to train a young woman's mind, body, and hands. But her tongue usually defies me. If they would but learn to keep silence, something would be gained. But that is the most difficult lesson of all."

"Never judge of a young woman," said a cynical student of human nature, "until you have heard her talk for an hour, apart from her mother, teacher, or any one of whom she stands in awe. The most stately Juno will relax into a paltry dribbler, a gossiping scandal-monger, even sometimes, if provoked, a shrew."

Remember, girls, the old Arab proverb,—the word once spoken returns not until it has run through the earth.

"The tongue can no man tame." Because, perhaps, it always will express the secret thoughts of the heart. But the heart can be tamed, and so brought into harmony with God and man that its spoken words shall be helpful and dear to both.—Youth's Companion.