Success Maxims (Part 17)

Kasper & Associates maintains faith in the American spirit and we believe in the power of positive thinking.  To that end, we’ve established a monthly posting to our blog – Success Maxims — a collection of our favorite motivational quotes, essays and leadership advice.  (For a complete collection, e-mail your mailing address to contact@kasperassociates.com.)

SUCCESS MAXIMS

–Part 17–

The Guy in the Glass

(Dale Wimbrow, 1934)

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,

And the world makes you king for a day.

Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that guy has to say.

 

For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,

Who judgment upon you must pass.

The feller whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the guy staring back from the glass.

 

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear up to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the guy in the glass is your friend.

 

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,

And think you’re a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

 

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,

And get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.