My grandmother insisted that I learn this poem as child .

                                                                                      Myself

                                                                     I have to live with myself, and so

                                                                     I want to be fit for myself to know; 

                                                                     I want to be able as days go by,

                 Always to look myself straight in the eye;            

 I don't want to stand with the setting sun

                  And hate myself for the things I've done.                  

  I don't want to keep on a closet shelf

A lot of secrets about myself,

And fool myself as I come and go

Into thinking that nobody else will know

The kind of man I really am;

I don't want to dress myself up in sham.

I want to walk with my head erect

I want to deserve all men's respect;

But here in this struggle for fame and wealth,

I want to be able to like myself.

I don't want to think as I come and go

That I'm for bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can hide myself from me,

I see what others may never see,

I know what others may never know,

I never can fool myself -- and so,

Whatever happens, I want to be

Self-respecting and conscience free.- Edgar Guest

                                     As I grew older she taught me how to live by it.