If you can start the day without
caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with
your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful
for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy
to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through
no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never
correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a
poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have
no prejudice against creed, color, religion, or
politics,
Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.
