NOT BY BIRTH DOES A MAN (A POEM)

Not by birth does a man ennoble himself

But by education, culture and conduct!

Do not boast of your high birth, your caste,

Your ancient family name or connection.

Birth is an accident, you cannot help it,

You can help what you become eventually.

By hard work, perseverance and honest effort

You can scale dizzying ladders of excellence,

Leaving the proud ones of famous lineage

Behind in the grueling race for eminence!

Success is for the one who strives against odds,

Awake while others sleep or squander the wealth

Bequeathed by forebears carelessly in the wind;

He alone is, worthy of adulation and emulation!