Live Well, Laugh Often, and Love Much

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.

Written by Bessie A. Stanley and published in 1911.

Reworded for Emerson’s quote:

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

It doesn’t surprise me that people keep attributing this work to a man, when it originally came from a woman.  When I was in school, I wrote a paper about the idolatry of male artists, while female artists are often ignored by history.  I just wanted to acknowledge Bessie A. Stanley for her enduringly positive philosophy.