Two Kinds Of People by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(1850–1919)
There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Two kinds of people no more I say.
Not the good or the bad, for it’s well understood,
The good are half bad, the bad are half good.
Not the happy or sad, for in the swift-flying years,
Bring each man his laughter, each man his tears.
Not the rich or the poor, for to count a man’s wealth,
You must know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud, for in life’s busy span,
Who puts on vain airs is not counted a man.
No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift, the people who lean.
Wherever you go you’ll find the world’s masses
Are ever divided into these two classes.
And, strangely enough, you will find, too, I mean,
There is only one lifter to twenty who lean.
In which class are you? Are you easing the load
Of the overtaxed lifters who toiled down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others bear,
Your portion of worry and labor and care?”
― Ella Wheeler Wilcox
POEM SOURCE: GOODREADS-“Quotes” from Ella Wheeler Wilcox
RECORDING: The way I learned the poem…(some words are different
from the Goodreads version)
Recorded by Selma
Thank you for reading/listening.
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Such a beautiful poem. That’s the reality in a nutshell
Indeed indeed. Reality. I want to be the lifter. Always.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Very wonderful and insightful poem. Tis the world we live in. 🙏🤗
Let’s all be lifters.
Balance the scales 👏🏽
👏👏
Wonderful poem for Two kinds of people. Beautiful words written in poem. Really true. Nice video in speech. I like. Many teaches words.
Raj? Thank you. XO
this is it
THIS is IT! 🙇🏽♀️
Oh what a good poem, and so full of wisdom. Well read.
A good poem to remind us of things we easily forget. Thanks. VJ.
Yes, thanks, Selma
Selma, nice presentation of this timeless wisdom. The poem sounds familiar, and I think my mother may have read it to me as a child. XO
It’s one of those poems that stays with you. What insight!
Beautiful poem, and I always strive to be good.
The whole world benefits from our good deeds. Bless you.
Her poetry is fabulous – even more so with your reading. Thank you for sharing your voice, Selma. 😊🙏🏻
Aww. Her poetry is potent.
Thanks for listening to me crooning. Bless you.
Yes and you are welcome, Selma. Pleasure! Bless you too. 🥰🙏🏻
Beautiful!
Thanks
You’ve definitely given me something to think about Selma. (K)
🤔 be well, my friend.
I think we all lean sometimes, but not everyone lifts up. I want to always encourage others and lift them in spirit through my words and actions.❤️🙏🏻
Oh yes, we all need someone to lean on. Surely we all have someone like that — where would we be without people like that.
But the poem is talking about a different kind of leaning I think. And I’m sure you know this too. You are definitely a lifter. I’m indebted to you for that.
And when you need something I can give you please count on me.
I am praying for you and your upcoming procedures. I never forget. Sending healing graces. I bless you.
Maybe the ones who shirk responsibility and let everyone else take up for them? Those kinds of people. That’s what I interpreted from it.
My dear Selma, you are a wonderful friend and enthusiastic spirit. I’m sure you lift up the spirits of others every day.🤗
It’s already all done! My surgery was on Thursday, I stayed overnight one night and went home the next afternoon. I am doing really well! Excited for a future with less pain.❤️🙏🏻
Remains true today. I love Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Thanks for sharing, Selma. Your reading is lovely too.
Thanks my friend.
It’s a hard thing to be a lifter yet appear to everyone at first glance to be a leaner.