Gentleness v. Sternness – Charles Spurgeon

WHEN you have to distribute your tracts, or visit from house to house, or to teach a class of boys or girls, prefer sugar to vinegar for your breakfast. Vinegar did, according to very doubtful history, soften the rocks for Hannibal, but it will not soften hearts for you. There are more flies caught with honey than with vinegar. Better to go forth with a sweet smile upon your face, and with gentleness written across your countenance, than to be morose, stern, and uncivil; for if you are the latter, you belie with your face what you say with your tongue.