The Man Worth While

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

It is easy enough to be pleasant
When life flows by like a song ;
  But the man worth while
  Is one who will smile
When everything goes dead wrong ;
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with years,
  And the smile that is worth
  The praises of earth,
Is the smile that shines through tears.

It is easy enough to be prudent
When nothing tempts you to stray,
  When without or within
  No voice of sin
Are luring your soul away.
But it’s only a negative virtue
Until it is tried by fire ;
  And the life that is worth
  The honor on earth,
Is the one that resists the desire.