Not gold, but only man can make
A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor’s sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly –
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Jendi,
This is my absolute favorite picture. Some day I will have it hung up in my house!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Sunday Quotes: Freedom =-.
I love Ralph Waldo Emerson. That’s a very inspirational poem. Thanks for sharing.
A Nation’s Strength
(by Ralph Waldo Emerson)
What makes a nation’s pillars high
And it’s foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.
And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.
Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly…
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.