Poetry Explorer

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?"




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