In 1934 Dale Wimbrow wrote a response to a contest being held by American Magazine. The assignment was, “Give us one good reason why an ambitious young man should be honest.”

The words Dale penned were, and still are, a treasure.  If you are striving to be an i2i leader, I encourage you to reflect on Wimbrow’s message.

May the mirror become a visual reminder of the need we all have to live lives of integrity.  I pray that you will like the one you see looking back at you.

i2i,

Randy

Note: The word “pelf” in the first line comes from a variant of Old French pelfre or “spoils.”  It refers to money or pilfered property.

The Guy in the Glass

by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,

And the world makes you King for a day,

Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,

Who judgement upon you must pass.

The feller whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear up to the end,

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,

And think you’re a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.

How would you respond if asked, “Give us one good reason why an ambitious young man should be honest.”