IN GOD WE TRUST

If I Want to Be a Happy, Useful Citizen I Must Have:

COURAGE AND HOPE

I must be brave – This means I must be brave enough and strong enough to

control what I think, and what I say and what I do, and I must always be

hopeful because hope is power for improvement.

WISDOM

I must act wisely – In school, at home, playing, working, reading or

talking. I must learn how to choose the good, and how to avoid the bad.

INDUSTRY and GOOD HABITS

I must make my character strong – My character is what I am, if not in

the eyes of others, then in the eyes of my own conscience. Good

thoughts in my mind will keep out bad thoughts. When I am busy doing

good I shall have no time to do evil. I can build my character by

training myself in good habits.

KNOWLEDGE and USEFULNESS

I must make my mind strong – The better I know myself, my fellows and

the world about me, the happier and more useful I shall be. I must

always welcome useful knowledge in school, at home, everywhere.

TRUTH and HONESTY

I must be truthful and honest – I must know what is true in order to do

what is right. I must tell the truth without fear. I must be honest in

all my dealings and in all my thoughts. Unless I am honest I cannot have

self-respect.

HEALTHFULNESS and CLEANLINESS

I must make my body strong – My eyes, my teeth, my heart, my whole body

must be healthful so that my mind can work properly. I must keep

physically and morally clean.

HELPFULNESS and UNSELFISHNESS

I must use my strength to help others who need help – If I am strong I

can help others, I can be kind, I can forgive those who hurt me and I

can help and protect the weak, the suffering, the young and the old, and

dumb animals.

CHARITY

I must love – I must love God, who created not only this earth but also

all men of all races, nations and creeds, who are my brothers. I must

love my parents, my home, my neighbors, my country and be loyal to all

these.

HUMILITY and REVERENCE

I must know that there are always more things to learn – What I may know

is small compared to what can be known. I must respect all who have

more wisdom than I, and have reverence for all that is good. And I must

know how and whom to obey.

FAITH and RESPONSIBILITY

I must do all these things because I am accountable to God and humanity

for how I live and how I can help my fellows, and for the extent to

which my fellows may trust and depend upon me.

– From The National Weekly, published by Collier’s i