When you think, when you speak, when you read, when you write,
When you sing, when you walk, when you seek for delight;
To be kept from all wrong when at home or abroad,
Live always as under the eye of the Lord.
Whatever you read, though the page may allure,
Read nothing of which you are perfectly sure
Consternation at once would be seen in your look,
If God should say, solemnly: “Show Me that book.”
Whatever you think, never think what you feel
You would blush in the presence of God to reveal:
Whatever you say, in a whisper or clear,
Say nothing you would not like JESUS TO HEAR.
Whatever you write, though in haste, or with heed,
Write nothing you would not like JESUS TO READ:
Whatever you sing, in the midst of your glees,
Sing nothing that HIS LISTENING EAR COULD DISPLEASE.
Wherever you go, never go where you fear
Lest the Great God should ask you “How CAMEST THOU HERE?”
Turn away from each pleasure you’d shrink from pursuing
If God should look down and say: “WHAT ART THOU DOING?”