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1850–1919

DISTRUST.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Distrust that man who tells you to distrust: He takes the measure of his own small soul, And thinks the world no larger. He who prates Of human nature’ s baseness and deceit

Looks in the mirror of his heart, and sees His kind therein reflected. Or perchance The honeyed wine of life was turned to gall By sorrow’ s hand, which brimmed his cup with tears,

And made all things seem bitter to his taste. Give him compassion! But be not afraid Of nectared Love, or Friendship’ s strengthening draught, Nor think a poison underlies their sweets.

Look through true eyes — you will discover truth: Suspect suspicion, and doubt only doubt.

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DISTRUST. · Ella Wheeler Wilcox · Poetry Cove