James Whitcomb Riley

Plain Sermons

I saw a man—and envied him beside—
Because of this world’s goods he had great store;
But even as I envied him, he died,
And left me envious of him no more.
 
I saw another man—and envied still—
Because he was content with frugal lot;
But as I envied him, the rich man’s will
Bequeathed him all, and envy I forgot.
 
Yet still another man I saw, and he
I envied for a calm and tranquil mind
That nothing fretted in the least degree—
Until, alas! I found that he was blind.
 
What vanity is envy! for I find
I have been rich in dross of thought, and poor
In that I was a fool, and lastly blind
For never having seen myself before!
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