The Paradoxical Commandments

Today I had a lovely half-hour chat with Fofi, a dear friend of mine, and he mentioned that he was having some trouble in school. I asked what sort of trouble, thinking to dispense my usual big-sister-ish advice of "work first, play later" or "stand up for your conviction" etc, but he said that he's one of the best students in his class, and so some of the other tweens his age are jealous, and spite him, or leave him out of their circle. I felt bad for him, because he's a real friendly chap, not the arrogant sort, and it must be frustrating to be disliked for something that is in fact a brilliant asset--and anyway, it's not as if he can help it if he studies well and makes good grades.

I thought for a bit, and this poem by Kent Keith popped into my mind. The poem became very well known after it was apparently found written on the wall of Mother Teresa's room. Even though she is revered as an exalted example of Christ-likeness, we can each shine in our own personal sphere, just by doing what we know is right when the choice comes around.

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.