Modern Folk Embroidery - Kind Words Cost Nothing - Booklet Chart IH

Today I found a basket with some old projects I had completely forgotten about. One of the pieces was a little circular embroidery I had started many years ago, and that got damaged when our basement flooded in 2020. I cannot remember anything about the piece, when I designed it or what the original intention of this piece was - but upon seeing it, I knew that I wanted to finish it and, after all these many years, finally release it for others to enjoy.

In a world that seems to be in need of kindness more than ever before, I thought the quote “Kind words cost nothing” would be fitting as a reminder that it doesn’t hurt anyone just to be kind to one another. This does not mean we cannot fight for what is right (I firmly believe we should!), but in our daily lives and dealings with others, just speaking kindly is such a simple way to make our lives just a little bit more pleasant.

The quote is a variation on a larger quote, often attributed to Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher and writer. I have really tried to find a source for this quote, but was unable to find it in Pascal’s “Complete Works” or his unfinished work “Thoughts”; therefore, I cannot say with certainty who the original author is. But the full quote is as follows:

“Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s souls, and a beautiful image it is”.

Whomever the quote belongs to, I think it is a beautiful sentiment.

I’m really happy that today I found this little piece of embroidery and was able to give it a 2nd live. Now that the stitching is done and the piece has been placed in a fitting embroidery hoop, it will be given a spot on my studio’s red sampler wall.