You Can Never Tell

Let this short inspirational poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox be one that inspires you to think about the words you say, the actions you take, and your thoughts. Words, actions, and thoughts all can have either a positive or negative impact on our own lives and the lives of those around us. You can encourage love or you can encourage hate by the words you speak and think. Your thoughts will determine your actions. So be mindful of the words that you speak and think, may they all be positive. And, remember your words influence those around us!

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You Can Never Tell
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

You can never tell when you send a word
Like an arrow shot from a bow
By an archer blind, be it cruel or kind,
Just where it will chance to go.
It may pierce the breast of your dearest friend,
Tipped with its poison or balm;
To a stranger’s heart in life’s great mart
It may carry its pain or its calm.

You never can tell when you do an act
Just what the result will be,
But with every deed you are sowing a seed,
Though its harvest you may not see.
Each kindly act is an acorn dropped
In God’s productive soil;
Though you may not know, yet the tree shall grow
And shelter the brows that toil.

You never can tell what your thoughts will do
In bringing you hate or love,
For thoughts are things, and their airy wings
Are swifter than carrier doves.
They follow the law of the universe—
Each thing must create its kind,
And they speed o’er the track to bring you back
Whatever went out from your mind.

More Ella Wheeler Wilcox Poems to Inspire


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Another poem about words by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

The Word
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Oh, a word is a gem, or a stone, or a song,
Or a flame, or a two-edged sword;
Or a rose in bloom, or a sweet perfume,
Or a drop of gall, is a word.

You may choose your word like a connoisseur,
And polish it up with art,
But the word that sways, and stirs, and stays,
Is the word that comes from the heart.

You may work on your word a thousand weeks,
But it will not glow like one
That all unsought, leaps forth white hot,
When the fountains of feeling run.

You may hammer away on the anvil of thought,
And fashion your word with care,
But unless you are stirred to the depths, that word
Shall die on the empty air.

For the word that comes from the brain alone,
Alone to the brain will speed;
But the word that sways, and stirs, and stays,
Oh! that is the word men heed.

We hope you reflect on these poems and they inspire you to keep your words, your actions, and your thoughts, positive!



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