Classic Poem

" I have given my all, " thou sayst, " for human advantage;
But in vain, for I earned enmity only and hate. " —
Shall I explain, my friend, what my relation to man is?
Trust the proverb, which yet never has led me astray.
As for Humanity's self, who can too highly esteem it?
Be it impressed in deeds as to thy soul it appears.
If in the struggle of life some mortal jostle against thee,
Help him, if thou mayst, with a benevolent hand.
But — for the rain and dew and the general good of the people —
Leave it to heaven, my friend: heaven exists, as of yore.