by Edgar Guest
I have to live with myself, and so,
I want to be fit for myself to know;
I want to be able as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I’ve done.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am;
I don’t want to dress myself up in sham.
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
But here in this struggle for fame and pelf,
I want to be able to like myself,
I don’t want to think as I come and go
That I’m for bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me,
I see what others may never see,
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself- and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.
Image source:
lavistachurchofchrist.org
wordsfromanneli says
Nowadays the trick is for parents to instill the right moral goals for their children so that the respect they crave comes from people with good moral values, not from disenfranchised peers.
kcuthriell says
So true!
Vicki Flaherty says
How wonderful! A great invitation to self-love and compassion. Thank you for sharing, Kristin.
kcuthriell says
It is. Thanks Vicki!
David Kanigan says
Great!
kcuthriell says
I thought it was great too! 🙂
Paul Mark Sutherland says
One of my faves. Hope all is well, Kristin.
kcuthriell says
Thank you, Paul! Great to hear from you! Hope things are going well for you, too.