What makes a nation's pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.
And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.
Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
Some agents convincingly will be a nation's strength, well composed by Ralph Waldo Emerson
A very inspiring poem, written almost two centuries ago. 'Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long.' - Alas! Their number today is few and far between!
Ralph Waldo Emerson must be crying in his grave looking at the pathetically greedy and corrupt people with no empathy whatsoever for brave and honorable, governing his beloved country.
Men who for truth and honor's sake / Stand fast and suffer long.- - - ] we could use these men now, right now, to stand up in congress for America and the planet and for decency, we could use these men in the top offices in corporations to make brave decisions to protect the environment first and make money second, we need these men in every home to guide their children and all children by their selfless example.
Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long.... //.... True. A great nation is built not by gold but by these people only.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A very beautiful and appealing poem . An idealistic view