Sonnet: Let People Have Their Evil Ways, Not I Poem by Dr John Celes

Let people say whatever they may say;
Let people spread rumors, white lies of me;
Let people sin whether by night or day;
I want to tread God’s way most righteously!

Let people laugh a hearty laugh of scorn;
Let people mock and ridicule my ways;
Let people live by stealing others’ corn;
I want to spend most truthfully my days.

Let people live in vices if they wish;
Let people commit mortal sin each time;
Let people hate others and them ravish;
I want to make my life always sublime.

Let people lose their chance of seeing God;
By accident too, I shan’t Him defraud.