Think not alone to _do_ right, and fulfill
Life's due perfection by the simple worth
Of lawful actions called by justice forth,
And thus condone a world confused with ill!
But fix the high condition of thy will
To _be_ right, that its good's spontaneous birth
May spread like flowers springing from the earth
On which the natural dews of heaven distill;
For these require no honors, take no care
For gratitude from men--but more are blessed
In the sweet ignorance that they are fair;
And through their proper functions live and rest,
Breathing their fragrance out with joyous air,
Content with praise of bettering what is best.
--William Davies.
And, since we needs must hunger, better for man's love
Than God's truth! better for companions sweet
Than great convictions! let us bear our weights
Preferring dreary hearths to desert souls.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning.