O Happy Is the Man Who Hears

O hap­py is the man who hears

Instruction’s warn­ing voice;

And who ce­les­ti­al wis­dom makes

His ear­ly

on­ly choice.

For she has trea­sures great­er far

Than east or west un­fold;

And her re­ward is more se­cure

Than is the gain of gold.

In her right hand she holds to view

A length of hap­py years;

And in her left

the prize of fame

And hon­or bright ap­pears.

She guides the young with in­no­cence

In plea­sure’s paths to tread

A crown of glo­ry she be­stows

Upon the hoa­ry head.

According as her la­bors rise

So her re­wards in­crease;

Her ways are ways of plea­sant­ness

And all her paths are peace.