To live as gently as I can; br To be, no matter where, a man; br To take what comes of good or ill br And cling to faith and honor still; br To do my best, and let that stand br The record of my brain and hand; br And then, should failure come to me, br Still work and hope for victory. br br To have no secret place wherein br I stoop unseen to shame or sin; br To be the same when I'm alone br As when my every deed is known; br To live undaunted, unafraid br Of any step that I have made; br To be without pretense or sham br Exactly what men think I am. br br To leave some simple mark behind br To keep my having lived in mind; br If enmity to aught I show, br To be an honest, generous foe, br To play my little part, nor whine br That greater honors are not mine. br This, I believe, is all I need br For my philosophy and creed.