If men only understood!

If men only understood
That the wrong act of a brother
Should not call from them another
But should be annulled with kindness
That their eyes should did his blindness they would find heavenly portal
Leading on to love immortal
If they only understood

If men only understood
That their wrong can never smother
The wrong doing of another
That by hatred hate increases
And by good all evil ceases
They would cleanse their hearts and actions
Banish thence all vile distractions
If they only understood

If only men understood
That the heart that sins must sorrow
That the hateful mind tomorrow
Reaps its barren harvest weeping,
Starving, resting not, nor sleeping Tenderness would fill their being
They would see with pity's seeing
If the only understood

If men only understood
All the emptiness and aching
Of the sleeping and the waking
Of the souls they judge so blindly
Of the hearts they pierce unkindly
They with gentler words and feeling
Would apply the balm of healing
If they only understood

If men only understood
That their hatred and resentment
Slay their peace and sweet contentment
Hurts themselves, helps not another,
Does not cheer one lonly brother
They would seek the better doing
Of good deeds which leaves no rueing
If they only understood.