The bat says the best way
To avoid evil is sleeping upside down
Its easy to stand with the crowd
But it takes courage to stand aloof
There is no need for best is possible
When the best is possible
You don't need a long life
To live a good life
Neither do you need a long
Time to make a good mark
So there could be no great
If there were no trivial
Speak little, but speak truth
Though courtesy costs nix
But manners compose a man
Today is worth more than a morrow
But study the past if you van
But define the future
Poverty is not lack of money but lack of ideas
But no hunger will make a man eat is tongue
Thematic Analysis
The poem is a compendium of sayings and advice from the author to the reader. It aims at guiding the reader to the way of success in life, and how to avoid trouble.
The first stanza opens with a wise saying on the best way to avoid evil, and continues with more sayings, "it is easy to stand with the crowd; but it takes courage to stand aloof" (Lines 3 and 4)
In stanza two, the poet advise the reader to be persistent, persevere and more be more daring because the best is yet to be achieved in life. "There is no need for better; when best is possible" (Lines 5 and 6)
In stanza three, he cautions against excuses, saying one does not need 'long time' to achieve success in life; advising for planning as a way of achieving big success.
In stanza four, the poet admonishes the reader to be truthful and show good manners as ways to achieve success in life. He also advises the reader to have the knowledge of history at the back of his mind, and endeavor to develop ideas as panacea to poverty