Trust

It is the foundation of everything
On this all is built
No virtue, no quality, no saving grace
Can stand without its base
Look in vain at honesty, courage and even kindness
If there is not trustworthiness all will be as nothing

Look deep to the core of people
Sense whether that trust is there, if not flee
Do not let beauty, speech or any gift of man or God
Distract you

This is the acid test
It is the spoon upon which the others are measured
If it be missing then all is lost
Poured out upon the dust they will soon be effaced
Find within the root of trust for without this
there is no fruit only the fire of loss.