When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself

And see what THAT person has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or spouse

Whose judgement upon you must pass;

The one whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear up to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life

And get pats on your back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

 —Anon

* * *

The road to success is not to be run upon

by seven-leagued boots.

Step by step, little by little, bit by bit—

that is the way to wealth,

that is the way to wisdom,

that is the way to glory.

—Charles Buxton