My Creed

  
  To live as gently as I can;

  To be, no matter where, a man;

  To take what comes of good or ill

  And cling to faith and honor still;

  To do my best, and let that stand

  The record of my brain and hand;

  And then, should failure come to me,

  Still work and hope for victory.

  To have no secret place wherein

  I stoop unseen to shame or sin;

  To be the same when I'm alone

  As when my every deed is known;

  To live undaunted, unafraid

  Of any step that I have made;

  To be without pretense or sham

  Exactly what men think I am.

  To leave some simple mark behind

  To keep my having lived in mind;

  If enmity to aught I show,

  To be an honest, generous foe,

  To play my little part, nor whine

  That greater honors are not mine.

  This, I believe, is all I need

  For my philosophy and creed.

             

by Edgar Albert Guest