I KNOW

I know I can do as I please. At least I can always refuse. Hence I know that I am responsible for my actions. I will accept this responsibility and play the man. I will not be ever seeking excuses for my weakness.

I know I do not understand all the secret springs of the acts of others, hence I will be charitable in my judgments.

I know that what I know is to what I do not know as one is to infinity, hence I will try always to be teachable.

I know that the past cannot be changed, hence I will make the best of it; and that I cannot control the future, hence I will not worry about it.

I know that happiness depends more upon my thoughts than upon what happens to me, hence I will strive to control and adjust myself, instead of complaining of circumstances.

I know that the world is managed by a power and a will not of myself and greater than myself; hence I will try to understand and conform to it.

I know I cannot cheat nor evade the laws of nature; hence I will seek to find out what they are and obey them.

I know I have limitations, and that it is quite as important to understand them, as it is to know my capacity.

I know that life is sweet to the healthy-minded, and therefore I will reject summarily any creed or opinion that degrades or mocks at life.

I know what love is. I do not always know what is right or wrong, or what is wise or unwise. Therefore I can safely love everybody, and safely regulate nobody.

I know that suspicion is a disease of faith, jealousy is a disease of egotism, and envy is a disease of small natures; these I will avoid.

I know I can control and shape my tastes, my desires, and my thoughts, and I will not allow myself to be dominated by these.

I know that no sentiment, no feeling, is of value unless it enters into the will and is expressed in action.

I know that I will get from this world the equivalent only of what I give to it.

I know that, whatever God may be, a constant effort to do right is the only way to secure His approval. Whatever wrong I have committed, He becomes my friend when I begin to do right.

By Dr. Frank Crane