Don’t Find Fault

Pray don’t find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden from view;
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble, too.

Don’t sneer at the man who’s down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way at the very selfsame time
Might cause you to struggle, too.

Don’t be hard with the man who sins
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, and doubly sure
That you have no sins of your own;
For, you know, perhaps, if the tempters voice
Should whisper soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
It would cause you to falter, too.