Incorrect Speaking

Incorrectness in your speech Carefully avoid, my Anna; Study well the sense of each Sentence, lest in any manner It misrepresent the truth; Veracity's the charm of youth.

You will not, I know, tell lies, If you know what you are speaking.-- Truth is shy, and from us flies; Unless diligently seeking Into every word we pry, Falsehood will her place supply.

Falsehood is not shy, not she,-- Ever ready to take place of Truth, too oft we Falsehood see, Or at least some latent trace of Falsehood, in the incorrect Words of those who Truth respect.