From Calcutta . . .

Engraved on the wall of her home for children in Calcutta, India.

Written by Mother Teresa.

People are often

unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive 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 some true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

people may cheat you;

be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building

someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

others may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today,

people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough;

give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,

it’s between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.