Piet Hein
Why not let us compromise
about Denmark's proper size,
which will truly please us all,
since it's bigger than it's small.
Eradicate the optimist
who takes the easy view
that human values will persist
no matter what we do.
Annihilate the pessimist
whose ineffectual cry
is that the goal's already missed
however hard we try.
Some people cower
and wince and shrink,
owing to the fear of
what people may think.
There is one answer
to worries like these:
people may think
what the devil they please.
Small people often overrate
the charm of being tall;
which is, that you appreciate
the charm of being small.
Philosophers
must ultimately find
their true perfection
in knowing all
the follies of mankind
-by introspection.
We shall have to evolve
problem-solvers galore-
since each problem they solve
creates ten problems more.
Does time exist?
I gravely doubt it.
But gosh, what should we do
without it?
If a nasty jagged stone
gets into your shoe,
thank the Lord it came alone-
what if it were two?
It ought to be plain
how little you gain
by getting excited
and vexed.
You'll always be late
for the previous train,
and always on time
for the next.
We ought to live
each day as though
it were our last day
here below.
But if I did, alas,
I know
it would have killed me
long ago.
The noble art of Losing Face
may one day save the Human Race
and turn into eternal merit
what weaker minds would call disgrace.
How instructive
is a star!
It can teach us
from afar
just how small
each other are.
