TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH;
TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE
AND THE AFFECTION OF CHILDREN;
TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS
AND
ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS;
TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY;
TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS;
TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER,
WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH,
OR A REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION;
TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER
BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED.
THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED
-RALPH WALDO EMERSON