Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MEASURE OF A MAN, by ANONYMOUS First Line: Not - 'how did he die?' but - 'how did he live?' Last Line: "but -- ""how many were sorry when he passed away?" Subject(s): Human Behavior;truth;virtue; Conduct Of Life;human Nature | ||||||||
Not -- "How did he die?" But -- "How did he live?" Not -- "What did he gain?" But -- "What did he give?" These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth. Not -- "What was his station?" But -- "Had he a heart?" And -- "How did he play his God-given part? Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer, To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?" Not -- "What was his church?" Nor -- "What was his creed?" But -- "Had he befriended those really in need?" Not -- "What did the sketch in the newspaper say?" But -- "How many were sorry when he passed away?" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT by RANDALL JARRELL END OF THE WORLD by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE ANSWER by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE BROKEN BALANCE by ROBINSON JEFFERS TIME OF DISTURBANCE by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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