I have to live with myself and so 
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself straight in the eye; I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.

I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf 
a lot of secrets about myself 
and fool myself as I come and go 
into thinking no one else will ever know
the kind of person I really am, 
I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect 
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself. 

I don’t want to look at myself and know that
I am bluster and bluff and empty show. 

I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know, 
I never can fool myself and so, 
whatever happens I want to be 
self respecting and conscience free.

-Edgar A. Guest 

Source: Inspirational Words of Wisdom