Classic Poem

This life is a struggle, a battle at best,
A journey in which there's no haven of rest;
And craggy and steep is the path you must tread
If you would be master and sit at the head.

The gods had their battles — they fought for their thrones,
And mounted up to them with struggles and groans;
E'en so the frail mortal must soar above dread
If he would be master and sit at the head.

Be humble and lowly, be upright and brave,
Be often the servant, but never the slave;
Submit to be bullied, but never be led,
If you would be master and sit at the head.

The laws of creation insist on respect;
Believe in the virtues of cause and effect;
Trust only to truth, and you'll ne'er be misled,
If you would be master and sit at the head.

Renounce all deception, all cunning and lies;
Let truth be the pinion on which you would rise;
Believe all deception is rotten and dead,
If you would be master and sit at the head.