When you get what you want in the struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day;
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't a man's father, mother, or wife,
Whose judgment upon him must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in his life,
Is the man staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please, never mind the rest,
And he's with you clear up to the end;
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.

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