TONE OF VOICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

TONE OF VOICE.

Mr. Arnold Bennett makes the following striking affirmation:—" Ninety per cent, of all daily friction is caused by tonemere tone of voice." The more we think about this statement, the moire we feel like admitting the truthfulness of it. Tone of voive is the expression of disposition. It is seldom that anger is manifested in a subdued attitude. Anger is usually the cause of a quarrel, and this is exhibited through rising inflections of the [voice. If wo feel inclined to call a man a liar, or a fool, we usually do so in a way and manner that he fully understands Terms of loye and endearment may bo uttered in such hushed notes that their melody is scarcely heard; but when hatred manifests itself it usually speaks out in thunder tones. Plutarch, centuries ago, realised this phase of human nature, and gave his readers the following advice: — When two discourse, if one's anger rise, The man who lets the contest fall is wise. A rising temperature indicates increase of heat. In Ike manner, an increased tone in the voice is apt to imply an excited disposition. As mutterings of thunder announce a coming storm, so noisy speech is prophetic bf the wrath which usually follows it. Mr. Roosevelt says: Speak softly and carry a big stick." It is a great victory on our part to control our voices, but wo cannot do this unless we control our tempers. We are weakened by a blustering, scolding method. Our noisy attitudes create irritation and opposition. Tho loud pedal has its place, but it is never used except to produce harmony and to make music more effective.