No path is wholly rough

Optimism

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough

Without your woes. No path is wholly rough;

Look for the places that are smooth and clear,

And speak of those, to rest the weary ear

Of Earth, so hurt by one continuous strain

Of human discontent and grief and pain.

Talk faith. The world is better off without

Your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt.

If you have faith in God, or man, or self,

Say so. If not, push back upon the shelf

Of silence all your thoughts, till faith shall come;

No one will grieve because your lips are dumb.

Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale

Of mortal maladies is worn and stale.

You cannot charm, or interest, or please

By harping on that minor chord, disease.

Say you are well, or all is well with you,

And God shall hear your words and make them true.