The Benevolent One Poem by Matshona Dhliwayo

"If you hate the poor,
do not ask The Divine One for wealth.
If you hate the despised,
do not ask The Divine One for honor.
If you hate the oppressed,
do not ask The Divine One for freedom.
If you hate the lowly,
do not ask The Divine One for influence.

If you hate the fatherless,
do not ask The Divine One for children.
If you hate the lonely,
do not ask The Divine One for friends.
If you hate the orphaned,
do not ask The Divine One for parents.
If you hate the divorced,
do not ask The Divine One for a family.

If you hate the weak,
do not ask The Divine One for strength.
If you hate the helpless,
do not ask The Divine One for might.
If you hate the timid,
do not ask The Divine One for courage.
If you hate the helpless,
do not ask The Divine One for power.

If you hate the average,
do not ask The Divine One for excellence.
If you hate the common,
do not ask The Divine One for nobility.
If you hate the meek,
do not ask The Divine One for authority.
If you hate the gentle,
do not ask The Divine One for fortitude.

If you hate the confused,
do not ask The Divine One for understanding.
If you hate the perplexed,
do not ask The Divine One for insight.
If you hate the ignorant,
do not ask The Divine One for knowledge.
If you hate the senseless,
do not ask The Divine One for wisdom.

If you hate the anxious,
do not ask The Divine One for joy.
If you hate the hopeless,
do not ask The Divine One for faith.
If you hate the downtrodden,
do not ask The Divine One for peace.
If you hate the forsaken,
do not ask The Divine One for love."
― Matshona Dhliwayo