Pray don't find fault with the man who limps

      Or stumbles along the road,

Unless you have worn the shoes he wears

      Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,

     Though hidden away from view;

And the burden he bears, pleased upon your back,

     Might cause you to stumble too.

"Don't sneer at the man who's down today,

     Unless you have felt the blow

That caused his fall, or felt the shame

     That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows

     That were his, if dealt to you

In the selfsame way at the selfsame time.

     Might cause you to stagger too.

"Don't be too harsh with the man who sins,

     Or pelt him with words or stones,

Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,

     That you are no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice

     Should whisper as soft to you

As it did to him where he went astray,

"T' would cause you to falter too.

--Author unknown.