Poverty Does No Man Proud

Poverty comes in every shroud, poverty does no man proud Of those who are poor of the worldly riches All but the saintly let penury bend their spirits To the will of the rich, selling their innocence and dreams A delusion enticing them - "If only they were rich, they'd be free of all needs" Of those who are poor of character and virtue All but the poorest let their affluence bend all known rule Not a moment of reflection to let them know - their trifle pleasure is but a poor man's treasure A delusion enticing them - "With just one more possession, they could conquer dissatisfaction!" Of those who are poor of beauty and youth All but the poorest spend time and money tweezing their brow and plumping their mouth No poor man's wisdom to let them know - true beauty lies in what you are and what you do, and not in a flamboyant ado A delusion enticing them - "Just one more beauty fix is the solution to their empty life and hollow soul" Of those who are poor of purpose and strength All but the most compassionate, go astray wasting precious time and never finding a way No brave man's courage to let them know - if they didn't go out on a limb and risk failing they would never taste victory's sway A delusion enticing them - "If they stayed comfortable in their dens they would risk nothing and be safe" Of those who are poor of love and compassion Why, they are the poorest indeed, wasting a precious life and never tasting the joy of living No loving heart's urge to spread the joy around, to let them know - giving is the biggest gift you can ever receive A delusion enticing them - "If they didn't give, they would have nothing to lose, no pain and no tears to shed"

Poverty comes in every shroud, but poverty does no man proud...