"A Useful Hint"

[Atticus]

By Aaron Hill (1685–1750)

TENDER-HANDED stroke a nettle,
 And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle, 
 And it soft as silk remains. 

’Tis the same with common natures,        
Use them kindly they rebel;
But be rough as nutmeg graters,  
And the rogues obey you well.

Nearly three centuries old and still timely advice.