Judge Not

Pray, find no fault with the man who limps,
Or stumbles along the road;
Unless you have word the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view;
Or the burdens he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble, too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you,
In the selfsame way at the selfsame time
Might cause you to falter too.

Don't be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you be sure, yea doubly sure,
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as softly to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
It would cause you to falter too.