Do not count, when day is o’er,

Daily loss from life’s rich store;

But the gains, however small,

Count them daily, one and all:

Every sweet and gracious word,

Every pleasant truth you’ve heard;

Every tender glance and tone,

Every kindly deed you’ve known;

Every duty nobly done,

Every rightful victory won

 Treasure all, and count them o’er

As a miser counts his store.

But if bitter word or thought

Have a bitter harvest brought;

If some foeman hath assailed you,

Or the friend most trusted failed you;

If unkindness and untruth

Have to you brought saddest ruth,

Blot the score without delay—

Keep no record of the day.

Keep no record of the care,

Loss and cross we all must bear;

On the page of memory write

Only what is fair and bright

Let all evil things go by;

Still, with brave endeavor, try

Simple joys to multiply.

Thus you’ll learn how large a sum

Will with faithful reckoning come.

Long as after cloud and rain

Blessed sunshine comes again,

Long as after winter’s gloom

Summer roses bud and bloom,

Long as we have with us here

One sad heart that we may cheer,

Long as love gilds sorrow’s cross,

Life’s rich gain o’er pays the loss.

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