This is a great poem about reciprocity – that you get back what you give. 

Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you!
Believe it.

It makes me think of the last Beatles song recorded collectively by all four Beatles: The End.   “…And in the end the love we take is equal to the love we make.”  –Lennon/McCartney,

Here is a video of a choir first reciting and then singing the poem, the complete text follows the video on this page.

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,

There are souls that are pure and true,

Then give the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,

A strength in your utmost need,

Have faith, and a score of hearts will show

Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;

And honor will honor meet;

And a smile that is sweet will surely find

A smile that is just as sweet.

Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,

You will gather in flowers again

The scattered seeds from your thoughts outborne

Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave,

‘Tis just what we are and do;

Then give to the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

- Madeline Bridges -

American poet (1844 – 1920)