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.