'To Laugh Much and Often' by Bessie Anderson Stanley

Written by Bessie Anderson Stanley (link to poem here)

Context:

A lovely little snippet of poetry from Bessie Anderson Stanley, often incorrectly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thank you to my reader Laura Berenstain for sending it to me.

Poem:

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of the intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,

or a redeemed social condition;

to know that one life has breathed easier

because you lived here.

This is to have succeeded.

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