When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Who judgment upon you must pass:
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you are a straight-shooting chum
And call you 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.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he is with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you cheated the man in the glass.
Your final judgment from God could be
Should he say, “now depart from me.”