You Tell on Yourself

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which you burdens bear,
By the kind of things that make you laugh,
By the records you play on the phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf:
In these ways and more, you tell on yourself.


This poem is in a book I'm reading called "A Woman's High Calling" by Elizabeth George. It's a little outdated (just sub in 'iPod' for 'phonograph'..), but I thought it was very good! If you are looking for a great book to read, get one of Elizabeth George's books... I am loving this one!!