If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time . . . and you’ve lived long enough to experience the dark side of life, you will no doubt find these words to be of encouragement and perhaps inspiration. I certainly have. It’s no wonder that Mother Teresa had this poem hanging on her wall.
ANYWAY
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People need help but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
~ Kent Keith, made famous by Mother Teresa*
* Kent Keith originated this poem in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed it on her children’s home in Calcutta in a slightly different version. As a result, many have attributed it to her.
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