Thoughts on a Station Platform
It ought to be plain
how little you gain
by getting excited
and vexed.
You'll always be late
for the previous train,
and always on time
for the next.
poem by Piet Hein
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Meeting the Eye
You'll probably find
that it suits your book
to be a bit cleverer
than you look.
Observe that the easiest
method by far
is to look a bit stupider
than you are.
poem by Piet Hein
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An Ethical Grook
I see
and I hear
and I speak no evil;
I carry
no malice
within my breast;
yet quite without
wishing
a man to the Devil
one may be
permitted
to hope for the best.
poem by Piet Hein
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Atomyriades
Nature, it seems is the popular name
for milliards and milliards and milliards
of particles playing their infinite game
of billiards and billiards and billiards.
poem by Piet Hein
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Constitutional Point
Power corrupts,
whereas sound opposition
builds up our free
democratic tradition.
One thing would make
a democracy flower:
having a strong opposition-
in power.
poem by Piet Hein
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T.t.t.
Put up in a place
where it's easy to see
the cryptic admonishment
T.T.T.
When you feel how depressingly
slowly you climb,
it's well to remember that
Things Take Time.
poem by Piet Hein
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It Isn't Enough
One paramount truth
our society smothers
in petty concern
with position and pelf:
It isn't enough
to exasperate others;
you've got to remember
to gladden yourself.
poem by Piet Hein
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A Word to the Wise
Let the world pass in its time-ridden race;
never get caught in its snare.
Remember, the only acceptable case
for being in any particular place
is having no business there.
poem by Piet Hein
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Saturation
The heavens are draining,
it’s raining and raining,
and everything couldn’t be wetter,
and things are so bad
that we ought to be glad:
because now they can only get better.
poem by Piet Hein
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What People May Think
Some people cower
and wince and shrink,
owing to the fear of
what people may think.
There is one answer
to worries like these:
people may think
what the devil they please.
poem by Piet Hein
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