“Let each man learn to know himself; to gain that knowledge
let him labor,
Improve those failings in himself which he condemns so in
his neighbor.
How lenient our own faults we view, and conscience’s voice
adeptly smother;
Yet, oh, how harshly we review the selfsame failings in
another!
So first improve yourself today and then improve your
friends tomorrow.”
This was part of our hymnal when I was a little girl,
but it isn’t any more. I’m not really sure why it wasn’t retained when the book
was revised. Maybe it’s because the tune is a little cumbersome. The following
hymn has a similar message and a much nicer tune:
“Should you feel inclined to censure faults you may in
others view,
Ask your own heart, ere you venture, if you have not
failings, too.
Let not friendly vows be broken; rather strive a friend to
gain.
Many words in anger spoken find their passage home again.”
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