My philosophy is best expressed by Edgar Guest’s poem, “Myself”
I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by
Always to look myself in the eye.
I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I’ve done.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of person I really am.
I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect.
I want to deserve all others’ respect.
But here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I could never hide myself from me.
I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know.
I never can fool myself, and so
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience-free.