The Thousandth Man
Rudyard Kipling
ONE man in a thousand, Solomon says.
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.
'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him,
The rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.
You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all
Because you can show him your feelings.
His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight
With that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallow's - foot - and after!
Summary
There may be many men that a man comes into contact with in the course of his life, but it is best to seek out the one man in a thousand that can actually spur him on to be the best version of himself and to stand up for him in all situations. This man will stand up for you when no one else will; he will praise the character traits that truly matter and encourage their development, rather than be swayed by looks or glory; he will be free enough with you to lend you money; he will be easy to talk to; he will allow you to discuss your feelings; he will defend you against all others; he will be there for you "to the gallow's - foot - and after."
The other nine hundred and ninety nine men only have the opinion of you that the world does, but this Thousandth Man is your friend even if the rest of the world is against you.
With you and the Thousandth Man together the rest of those men cease to matter. The Thousandth Man will "sink or swim / With you in any water".
You can borrow money from the man and he can borrow from you freely.
No matter what the season, you can share your wrongs and rights. You can stand up against everyone else because the two of you support each other unequivocally. The other nine hundred and ninety nine men find it difficult to tolerate "shame or mocking or laughter", but the Thousandth Man will be by your side to the end of this life and beyond.
American actress Angelina Jolie (Dolce & Gabbana dress) at Rome Film Fest 2021. Eternals photocall. Rome (Italy), October 25th, 2021 (Photo by Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
