If

If you can speak and not make speech your lies, Or gifted with sight, you ensnare not your eyes; If you can hear and not by listening be corrupt, Or being generous, you fear not to go bankrupt; If you can rise when others choose to go down, Or being truthful, prefer to be called a clown; If you can learn and not make knowledge a curse, Or being curious, make no vain pursuit your boss; If you can try and not in trying found wanting, Or faced with failure, you stop not to keep living; If you can love and not for once resort to hate, Or being betrayed, choose not to curse your fate; If you can ask and not by getting be doomed, Or when at lack, not given to a hopeless mood; If you can soar higher and remain humble still, Or terribly tempted, lose not your precious will; If you can count for each loss, a blessing—two,— And do same with your luck and misfortunes too; If you can behold yourself and smile all night, Reassuring yourself that all shall be alright; If you can bear to hold none in mind for a foe, Or when any is found, you let such a hurt go; If you can rule and not misuse the throne, But having it all, consider none as your own; If you can love and enjoy your own company, Or when around others, disrespect not any; If you can err and not be too proud to repent, But after forgiven, treasure such a moment; If you can be quiet to hear a minor speak, —Kind enough to listen throughout the week; If you can go an extra mile for love's sake, And the road otherwise, you would not take; If you can do something worthwhile for free, Or being paid, you add a bonus for three; If you can ask for little but desire to do more, Or tho' incapable, find something to live for; If you can live so good you have no regret, Or met with griefs, you quietly kneel to forget— The world, I tell you, is yours my friend, If like these you could live from now till the end.