But if you see the good in other men
And let them lead you when they’re better placed,
If, having stood, you can sit down again,
If you’re the first to say you’ve been outraced,
If you can give what’s needed to the needy
Without demanding that it be announced,
If you see loud philanthropists as greedy –
The ones who measure kindness in amounts,
If you can love your country but be tasteful,
If you can feel more loyal to the world,
If you can fight a war but not be wasteful,
And keep the flag of jingoism furled,
If you can make a spouse and children happy,
And not go risking that on pitch and toss,
If you endure the humdrum, change the nappy,
And manage it while never getting cross,
If you can love so much that some will hurt you,
And not scorn others just for loving you,
You’ll be a man, of course, and that’s a virtue,
But you’ll be more: you’ll be a human too.
poems by Tommy Herbert 