This fool throws wet stones at me, insists on attempts to break my nerve
But I hate to respond to the anger and feed the fuel in those ugly words
They ask me why I say nothing at all, like I don't have any self-respect
I say "Gentleman, I'm like incense. The more you burn me, the more I'm fragrant"
And I don't feel the need to act violently, and I don't feel desire to fan the fire
You can say what you want about me, but I lace the lines of these times
With generous peace
There's a thin line between virtue and fear, and it's funny how they appear
Both demanding restraint and control and it's enough that I know it's clear
That I'm not scared of you; I'm scared of me, and I live by controlling my fool
'Cause you're a fool enough for the both of us, but I still try to find the good in you
And I don't feel the need to act violently, and I don't feel desire to fan the fire
You can say what you want about me, but I lace the lines of these times
With generous peace
I know it's hard to listen to the words you just can't stand
It's gonna more than a fist to enlighten an ignorant man
And don't you see how we fear the patient eyes of a lion?
And don't you how we fear those lions in their silence?
And I don't feel the need to act violently, and I don't feel desire to fan the fire
You can say what you want about me, but I lace the lines of these times
With generous peace