Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Simple Creeds

If this were our creed it were creed enough
   To keep us thoughtful and make us brave;
On this sad journey o’er pathways rough
   That lead us steadily on to the grave.

Speak no evil, and cause no ache,
Utter no jest that can pain awake;
Guard your actions and bridle your tongue,
Words are adders when hearts are stung.

If this were our aim, it were all, in sooth,
   That any soul needs, to climb to heaven,
And we would not cumber the way of truth
   With dreary dogmas, or rites priest given.

Help whoever, whenever you can,
Man for ever needs aid from man.
Let never a day die in the West,
That you have not comforted some sad heart.

Were this our belief we need not brood
   O’er intricate isms_ and modes of faith--
For this embodies the highest goal
   For the life we are living, or after death.

We meet no trials we do not need;
Well borne sorrow is holy seed;
It shall rise in a harvest of golden grain,
And a wise soul ever thanks God for pain.