Classic Poem

Would you peace and safety find,
To live in quiet with mankind,
Do not quarrel with their notions;
Let each have his own devotions;
Interfere not with their strife,
Take no part with man or wife;
Meddle not with satire's pen,
Make no friendship with mean men;
Blow not up foul discord's bellows,
Drink no liquor with rude fellows;
Fools, at best that gape and grin,
Devils, when the liquor's in.
More than all, I would advise
Always act with some disguise:
Strive to do not too much good —
Let these rules be understood,
With another we would mention
That would hinder much dissention,
Scolding hags and peevish men,
Shun them as a lion's den;
Hug and kiss the girl you love,
But hope no angels from above.
Dream not of celestial charms;
You clasp no goddess in your arms —
Goddesses are sometimes made —
Quite enough, to spoil the trade.
To command the pure good will
Of human kind, remember, still,
This is the SECRET , this is the charm —
DO THEM NEITHER — GOOD NOR HARM .