Service

You may grow to great riches and glory

 

You may toil for yourself through the day

 

You may write in your record and story

 

  The struggle you've met on the way;

 

But vain is the fame that you've boast of,

 

  and wasted the years that you can scan,

 

the strength you have not made the most of,

 

If you've rendered no service to man.

 

 

If something of you isn't living

 

  Long after the spirit is has fled;

 

If your hand seizes the toiling and giving

 

  The minute your body is dead,

 

You have quitted this world as a debtor

 

  and failed in the infinite plan;

 

If you leave not one roadway that's better,

 

  You have rendered no service to man.

 

 

"You may work for the profits of labor'

 

  And claim all its payments in gold;

 

But then if you help not your neighbor,

 

 

                                                                                  Your toil is both selfish and cold;

 

If it brings no delight to another,

 

  No rest to an overworked clan,

 

The earth shall your memory smoother,

 

  For you have rendered no service to man.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"For the things men are planning and doing

 

   Must be for the joy of all.

 

the sum of the goals we're pursing

 

   Unselfishly world wide

 

 

And if anybody's burdens are lighter

 

  Than when your poor being began,

 

You have dismally failed as a fighter,

 

  For you've rendered no service to man."