1. Success Poem
Before reading Bessie Anderson Stanley’s “Success Poem,” oftentimes wrongly credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson, you were asked to make a list of at least ten things that equal success in your eyes. Using this list, or any ideas you would like to add, you will create your own success poem similar in structure to Emerson’s.
YOUR VERSION
What is Success?
To _____________________
To ______________________
and ______________________;
To earn _____________________________
and endure ____________________________;
To appreciate _____________________;
To find ________________________;
To _______________________, whether by a
_______________, a _______________
or a ________________________;
To know _____________________
__________________________;
This is to have succeeded.
Your full name here
The Poem:
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. Success Poem
Before reading Bessie Anderson Stanley’s “Success Poem,” oftentimes wrongly credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson, you were asked to make a list of at least ten things that equal success in your eyes. Using this list, or any ideas you would like to add, you will create your own success poem similar in structure to Emerson’s.
YOUR VERSION
What is Success?
To _____________________
To ______________________
and ______________________;
To earn _____________________________
and endure ____________________________;
To appreciate _____________________;
To find ________________________;
To _______________________, whether by a
_______________, a _______________
or a ________________________;
To know _____________________
__________________________;
This is to have succeeded.
Your full name here
The Poem:
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded.
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here is a sample:
The final product
Should be in color if possible. (Can also be in black and white IF that is intentional).
Should be legible
Should be visibly pleasing
Does not need to be an entire 8 ½ X 11 sheet.

4. easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded.
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here is a sample:
The final product
Should be in color if possible. (Can also be in black and white IF that is intentional).
Should be legible
Should be visibly pleasing
Does not need to be an entire 8 ½ X 11 sheet.