Original Poem
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, they 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 best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God ; it was never between you and them anyway.
Translation (English)
People can be unreasonable, not making sense, and focused only on themselves.
Forgive them regardless.
If you are kind,
people might think you have hidden reasons.
Be kind regardless.
If you are successful,
you might gain fake friends and real enemies.
Succeed regardless.
If you are honest and open,
people might cheat you.
Be honest and open regardless.
What you build over years,
someone might destroy overnight.
Build regardless.
If you find peace and happiness,
others might be envious.
Be happy regardless.
The good you do today,
people might forget tomorrow.
Do good regardless.
Give the world your best,
and it might not be enough.
Give your best regardless.
In the end,
it's between you and God;
it was never between you and others anyway.
About the Poet
Attributed to Mother Teresa (20th Century)
Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun and missionary known for her charitable work with the poor in Kolkata, India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Inspirational prose
- When Written
- Attributed to the late 20th century
- Background
- The poem reflects Mother Teresa's philosophy of maintaining personal integrity and kindness despite external challenges or negative perceptions.
Sources: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/people-are-often-unreasonable--303289356171559928/, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20151125-why-are-we-so-suspicious-of-being-kind
Detailed Explanation
This poem is a powerful reminder to maintain one's values and integrity despite the challenges and negativity one might face from others. It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, kindness, honesty, and perseverance. The poem suggests that external judgments and reactions should not deter one from doing what is right and good. Each stanza presents a potential negative outcome of positive actions, followed by the encouragement to continue those actions regardless of the consequences. The final lines highlight a spiritual perspective, suggesting that ultimately, one's actions are judged by a higher power, not by the opinions of others. This message aligns with Mother Teresa's life and work, where she consistently chose to act with compassion and integrity, regardless of criticism or misunderstanding.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| unreasonable | not fair or sensible | not making sense or fair | un-ree-zuh-nuh-bul |
| illogical | not making sense | not making sense | ih-loj-i-kuhl |
| self-centered | focused on oneself | only caring about oneself | self-sen-terd |
| ulterior | hidden | hidden reasons | uhl-teer-ee-er |
| motives | reasons for doing something | reasons | moh-tivs |
| frank | honest | honest and open | frangk |
| serenity | peacefulness | calmness | suh-ren-i-tee |
| jealous | envious | wanting what others have | jel-uhs |
| analysis | examination | study | uh-nal-uh-sis |
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