Life is too Short.

Life is too short to harbor thoughts unkindly,
    To cherish bitterness and gender strife;
Let us forgive, if any one has wronged us,
    Let us forget the petty ills of life;

Let us forget the past, with all hard feeling,
    That tends to weaken all the good we've wrought;
Let us not break one strand of friendship's weaving-
    Life is too short.

Life is too short to hold the grudge against one
    Who may have been repentant all these years,
Too short for malice, silent or outspoken,
    That brings thy brother to the fount of tears;
Let us forgive as we would be forgiven,
    Let us remember trivial things as naught;
Let not these clumsy hands rend quivering heart-strings-
    Life is too short.

Life is too short to smite a fallen brother,
    To bring him lower or to wound again;
Help him retrieve the past by earnest effort,
    Help him be strong to bear his load of pain;
Let us forgive that which made us reproachable,
    Let us not forget any good we've taught,
Nor hold ourselves aloof from highest ideals-
    Life is too short.