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 away from view.
The burdens he bears placed on your back
might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down
unless you have felt the blow
that caused his fall, or felt the shame
that only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but the blows
that were his, if dealt to you in
the self-same way at the self's same time
might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
or pelt him with words or stones
unless you are sure, yes, doubly sure
that you have none of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's
voice should whisper as soft to you
as he did to him when he went astray
would cause you to falter too.
