Who walks the paths of righteousness
Or follows ways of evil,
Who knows the joys that angels bless
Or sin’s insensate revel,
At last, too well has understood
Sin is not worth a feather.—
It would be easy to be good,
If all were good together.
Waiving the conscience we offend,
And weighing but the pleasure,
Though we all sinful joys might blend,
They make a sorry treasure.
The loftiest joys must be subdued,
The soul we fain must tether.—
It would be easy to be good
If all were good together.
Oh, would that man might give free scope
To every gentle feeling!
The soul would realize its hope
Its noblest side revealing.
Would man might trust man’s brotherhood
In calm and stormy weather.—
It would be easy to be good
If all were good together.
If no one schemed to do a wrong,
No need for wrong were given;
If each his neighbor helped along,
This earth would be a heaven;
If men once met in rectitude,
Farewell, the regions nether.—
It would be easy to be good,
If all were good together.