Classic Poem

Have you ever tried to get along
With someone whom you felt was wrong
In attitude and thought and speech;
Whose fellowship you could not reach?

Have you ever been misunderstood
Believing that your aims were good
By one who simply would not see
Your views, or with your words agree?

And has it also seemed that you,
If in his place, would try to do
In word and thought and deed the thing
That to yourself would comfort bring?

Then, having changed the parts around
And looking further, have you found
In accents of great clarity
A striking similarity?

How simple, then, the fault became
To understand, instead of blame;
What kindness, sympathy and grace
Lie in the other person's place!