My brother, your words that are harsh and unsympathizing cut and wound. It is very easy for you to censure and find fault, but this is only productive of unhappiness. You would quickly resent the words you address to others, were they spoken to you. You have looked upon it as a weakness to be kind, tender, and sympathetic, and have thought it beneath your dignity to speak tenderly, gently, and lovingly to your wife. Here you mistake in what true manliness and dignity consist. The disposition to leave deeds of kindness undone is a manifest weakness and defect in your character. That which you would look upon as weakness, God regards as true Christian courtesy, that should be exercised by every Christian; for this was the spirit which Christ manifested. {4T 256.2}

Min bror, dine ord som er hårde og usympatiske, skærer og sårer. Det er meget let for dig at kritisere og finde fejl, men dette skaber kun ulykke. Du vil hurtig blive krænket over at få det at vide af andre, som du siger til andre. Du har anset det for en svaghed at være venlig, øm og forstående og har anset det for under din værdighed at tale ømt, venligt og kærligt til din hustru. Her går du fejl af hvad sand mandighed og værdighed består af. Din tilbøjelighed til at lade venlige handlinger være ugjorte er en tydelig svaghed og mangel i din karakter. Det som du ser på som svaghed, betragter Gud som sande kristne dyder, som enhver kristen bør efterleve; for dette var den ånd Kristus tilkendegav.