Let Well Enough Alone

If you are doing pretty well

     Let well enough alone;

Don’t try to be the greatest swell

     That ever left a throne.

Don’t try to out do all the rest,

     And make the biggest splash;

Let well enough alone is best,

     And not invite a smash.

If you are doing pretty well

     Be satisfied with that;

Lest at the striking of the bell

     Fate throws you on the mat.

Men say no risk no gain; ah, well!

     That may be very true,

But when you’ve lost your all pray tell,

     What’s to become of you?

If you are doing pretty well

     Keep on, and save your health;

Don’t slave and risk all day and sell

     Your happiness for wealth.

Don’t rush the get rich scheme pell-mell,

     And claim the business throne;

If you are doing pretty well

     Let well enough alone.

Oct. 24, 1910