The Man in the Glass

        
                 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 a man’s mother or father or wife,
                 Whose judgement you have to pass;
                 The fellow whose verdict counts most in this life
                 Is the man staring back from the glass.
        
                 Some people may think you’re 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’s with you clear up to the end.
                 And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
                 When the man in the glass is your friend.
        
                 You can fool the whole world, down the pathway of years,
                 And get pats on you back as you pass.
                 But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
                 If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.