Meanings of treads softly in English

His attitude is simple and reverent; he treads softly, as if on holy ground.

The timid rabbit treads softly on the dry leaves.

She treads softly between her charges during naptime.

First though, she treads softly down the stairs to the kitchen and switches the kettle on.

The ray treads softly there.

The grim spectre of want and privation treads softly behind every mortal there, and there is none who treats its invisible presence with disdain.

Re-interpreted by the marvelous British jazz singer, "Police and Thieves" treads softly on this jazz-soul version, to bear concerned witness to a community's suffering.