If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley -- but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush be a bit of grass --
And some highway happier make.
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass1 --
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here,
There's big work to do, and there's lesser2 to do,
And the task you must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail --
Be the best of whatever you are!
如果你当不成山巅的一棵劲松，
就做山谷里的小树吧——但务必
做溪流边最棒的一棵小树；
当不了树就做一丛灌木，
当不成灌
