Whatever Is—Is Best

From The Detroit Times, June 25, 1915. By Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

I know as my life grows older,
    And mine eyes have clearer sight—
That under each rank wrong, somewhere
    There lies the root of right;
That each sorrow has a purpose,
    By the sorrowing oft unguessed,
But sure as the sun brings morning,
    Whatever is—is best.

I know that each sinful action,
    As sure as the night brings shade
Is somewhere, sometime punished
    Tho’ the hour be long delayed.
I know that the soul is aided
    Sometimes by the heart’s unrest
And to grow means often to suffer—
    But whatever is—is best.

I know there are no errors
    In the great eternal plan,
And all things work together
    For the final good of man.
And I know as my soul speeds onward
    In its grand eternal quest,
I shall say as I look back earthward,
    Whatever is—is best.