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    Old Man's Advice
    by Berton Braley

    Keep away from women, boy,
    And play a lonely game.
    For the bad ones make you crooked
    And the good ones make you tame.
    They want to keep you sheltered
    From the stress and storm of chance,
    And they hold you from adventure
    By the spell of soft romance.

    Keep away from women, boy.
    They either break your heart
    With falseness and with mockery
    And coldly cruel art,
    Or else, with changing kisses
    And with fond and loving charm,
    They keep you from the struggle
    And they spoil your fighting arm.

    Keep away from women, boy,
    Wherever they may lurk.
    They make your courage falter
    And they play the deuce with work.
    They weave you silken fetters
    Which are stronger far than steel.
    They rob your soul of daring
    And you heart and brain of zeal.
    Keep away from women, boy,
    And shun their loveliness,
    And you shall tread unswervingly
    The pathway to success.
    The world shall hail you master,
    And fortune heed your call,
    And you shall reach the lonely heights
    And never live at all.

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