The Poetry Corner

Replies

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

You have lived long and learned the secret of life, O Seer! Tell me what are the best three things to seek - The best three things for a man to seek on earth? The best three things for a man to seek, O Son! are these: Reverence for that great Source from whence he came; Work for the world wherein he finds himself; And knowledge of the Realm toward which he goes. What are the best three things to love on earth, O Seer! What are the best three things for a man to love? The best three things for a man to love, O Son! are these: Labour which keeps his forces all in action; A home wherein no evil thing may enter; And a loving woman with God in her heart. What are the three great sins to shun, O Seer! - What are the three great sins for a man to shun? The three great sins for a man to shun, O Son! are these: A thought which soils the heart from whence it goes; An action that can harm a living thing; And undeveloped energies of mind. What are the worst three things to fear, O Seer! - What are the worst three things for a man to fear? The worst three things for man to fear, O Son! are these: Doubt and suspicion in a young child's eyes; Accusing shame upon a woman's face; And in himself no consciousness of God.