The Wise Man
By John Herlihy

While others may not pause,
The wise man may well pause.
While others may focus on the effects,
The wise man looks back to causes.
While others may only patronize,
The wise man always shows respect.
While others may settle for the imperfect,
The wise man endeavors to be perfect.
While others may express regret,
The wise man prefers only to forget.
While others fill their hearts with scorn,
The wise man pursues virtue, his heart to adorn.

While others may lose themselves in vain desire,
The wise man finds new ways himself to inspire.
While others may fall into an air of complacency,
The wise man knows to replenish any vacancy.
While others may move on rather than wait,
The wise man waits patiently even until late.
While others may entertain certain doubt,
The wise man never doubts the power of certainty.
While others may fall into the trap of despair,
The wise man avoids all traps that ensnare.
While others lock things up and then lose their keys,
The wise man unlocks things by falling to his knees.