Classic Poem

Beware of the spoken word! Be wise;
Bury thy thoughts in thy breast;
Nor let thoughts that are unnatural
Be ever in acts expressed.

Be thou courteous and kindly toward all—
Be familiar and vulgar with none;
But the friends thou hast proved in thy need,
Hold thou fast till life's mission is done!

Shake not thy faith by confiding
In every new-begot friend,
Beware thou of quarrels—but, in them,
Fight them out to the bitter end.

Give thine ear unto all that would seek it,
But to few thy voice impart.
Receive and consider all censure,
But thy judgment seal in thy heart.

Let thy habit be ever as costly
As thy purse is able to span;
Never gaudy, but rich—for the raiment
Full often proclaimeth the man.

Neither borrow nor lend—oft a loan
Both loseth itself and a friend,
And to borrow relaxeth the thrift
Whereby husbandry gaineth its end.

But lo! above all set this law:
UNTO THYSELF BE THOU TRUE!
Then never toward any canst thou
The deed of a false heart do.