Poem: “The Obligation Of Friendship” by Edgar A. Guest

A Heap o’ Livin’

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American Literature – American Poetry – Edgar A. Guest – Poems by Edgar A. Guest – A Heap o’ Livin’
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The Obligation Of Friendship

  You ought to be fine for the sake of the folks
      Who think you are fine.
  If others have faith in you doubly you’re bound
      To stick to the line.
  It’s not only on you that dishonor descends:
  You can’t hurt yourself without hurting your friends.

  You ought to be true for the sake of the folks
      Who believe you are true.
  You never should stoop to a deed that your friends
      Think you wouldn’t do.
  If you’re false to yourself, be the blemish but small,
  You have injured your friends; you’ve been false to them all.

  For friendship, my boy, is a bond between men
      That is founded on truth:
  It believes in the best of the ones that it loves,
      Whether old man or youth;
  And the stern rule it lays down for me and for you
  Is to be what our friends think we are, through and through.

< < < The States
Under The Skin Of Men > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Edgar A. Guest – Poems by Edgar A. Guest – A Heap o’ Livin’

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A Heap o’ Livin’

The Obligation Of Friendship

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