Men talk too much of gold and fame, <br />And not enough about a name; <br />And yet a good name's better far <br />Than all earth's glistening jewels are. <br />Who holds his name above all price <br />And chooses every sacrifice <br />To keep his earthly record clear, <br />Can face the world without a fear. <br /> <br />Who never cheats nor lies for gain, <br />A poor man may, perhaps, remain, <br />Yet, when at night he goes to rest, <br />No little voice within his breast <br />Disturbs his slumber. Conscience clear, <br />He falls asleep with naught to fear <br />And when he wakes the world to face <br />He is not tainted by disgrace. <br /> <br />Who keeps his name without a stain <br />Wears no man's brand and no man's chain; <br />He need not fear to speak his mind <br />In dread of what the world may find. <br />He then is master of his will; <br />None may command him to be still, <br />Nor force him, when he would stand fast, <br />To flinch before his hidden past. <br /> <br />Not all the gold that men may claim <br />Can cover up a deed of shame; <br />Not all the fame of victory sweet <br />Can free the man who played the cheat; <br />He lives a slave unto the last <br />Unto the shame that mars his past. <br />He only freedom here may own <br />Whose name a stain has never known.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-good-name/
