Character Of Happy Life

How happy is he born or taught

  That serveth not another's will;

Whose armour is his honest thought,

  And simple truth his utmost skill!

Whose passions not his masters are,

  Whose soul is still prepared for death;

Untied unto the world with care

  Of princely love or vulgar breath;

How happy is he born or taught

  That serveth not another's will;

Whose armour is his honest thought,

  And simple truth his utmost skill!

Who hath his life from rumors freed,

 Whose conscience is his strong retreat;

Whose state can neither flatterers feed,

   Nor ruin make oppressors great;

Who envies none whom chance doth raise

  Nor vice; who never understood

How deepest wounds are given with praise;

    Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

Who god doth late and early pray

  More of his grace than gifts to lend;

Who entertains the harmless day

  With a well-chosen book or friend;

This man is free from servile bands

 Of hope to rise, or fear to fall;

Lord of himself, though not of lands;

And having nothing, he hath all.

                                                        By- SIR HENRY WOTTON