Poems (Hoffman)/Character
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CHARACTER
Oh! who would be flattered with praise undeserved
Or with honors that are not his due?
Oh! who in the curse of a hypocrite's garb
Would friendship and fortune pursue?
Or with honors that are not his due?
Oh! who in the curse of a hypocrite's garb
Would friendship and fortune pursue?
Oh! who would be proud of a virtuous name
That has not its fountain within?
Oh! who would be proud of a record of fame
Defiled by a record of sin?
That has not its fountain within?
Oh! who would be proud of a record of fame
Defiled by a record of sin?
Better to know that our motives are right,
Though others may never applaud;
Better to see all our fondest hopes blight
Than be false to ourselves or our God.
Though others may never applaud;
Better to see all our fondest hopes blight
Than be false to ourselves or our God.
Better to act with a noble design
And drink slanders, wormwood and gall,
Than be sung to the heavens for motives sublime,
And know they were narrow and small.
And drink slanders, wormwood and gall,
Than be sung to the heavens for motives sublime,
And know they were narrow and small.
Reputation may fade like a false, fickle dream,
When we stand before God's judgment bar,
But firm shall stand character (not what we seem)
But just what we truly are.
When we stand before God's judgment bar,
But firm shall stand character (not what we seem)
But just what we truly are.