When you get what you want
in your struggle for pelf,
And the world
makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror
and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father,
or Mother, or Wife,
Who's judgement
upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict
counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller 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 guy in the glass
is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner
and "chisel" a plum,
And think
you're 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.

You can fool the whole world
down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back
as you pass,
But your final reward
will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated
the guy in the glass.

© 1934 Dale Wimbrow 1895-1954