When your heart is warm with love Even for your enemies; When your words come from above, Not from where the venom is; When you see the man entire, Not alone the faults he has, Find a somewhat to admire Underneath the paltry mass, -- Not till then, if you are wise, Will you dare to criticise. When you see the thing that's wrong, And -- a way to better it, -- Push a noble cause along, Not with censure fetter it; When your purpose is to build, Not to tear the building down, Use the sunshine that will gild, Not the dark and dismal frown, -- Not till then, if you are wise, Will you dare to criticise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PRODIGAL SON by DAVID IGNATOW TWO POEMS FROM THE WAR: 1 by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH UNDER A TELEPHONE POLE by CARL SANDBURG PROSIT NEUJAHR by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE BOTTLES AND THE WINE by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE HERETIC: 3. MOCKERY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER |