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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 things I have 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 up myself in sham,
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect;
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.
I can never 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.
I am reminded of two stories:
The first was from the movie "City Slickers". Billy Chrystal's character was being offered advice by his mate to "play around" as he had an opportunity of not being caught out and his wife would never know. Billy's character said: " My wife may never know, but that's not the problem. The problem is "I would know"."
The second story is that of Judas. He didn't sell Christ for 30 silver coins. It was the price he sold himself for. |
