Tone & Message

The foolish hear the tone of harshness, and miss the bitter words of truth.
The wise listen to the words mindfully too, for the harsh is not always wrong.

The foolish hear the tone of niceness, and cling to sweet words of falsehood.
The wise listen to the words mindfully too, for the nice is not always right.

– Stonepeace

Related Sayings:

忠言逆耳
Good advice goes against the ear.
信言不美，美言不信
Trustworthy words are not beautiful, beautiful words are not trustworthy.
良药苦口  
Good medicine it bitter in taste.

As the wise know that the foolish are attached to the tone,
they are mindful of not using a harsh tone,
unless it is truly wiser to do so.
If not, they would no longer be wise.

– Stonepeace