Man's Natural Rulers

How few there are with natures whole and sound,In harmony with themselves and fortune too,Whose outlook no contracted limits bound,And ever wisdom's forthright path pursue:Such are the sans and stars of humankind,The natural kings and rulers of the earth,If men were not to truth and wisdom blind,And could distinguish worthlessness from worth:For it is part of life's strange tragedyThat men (who must some bolder spirits follow)So seldom know who their true leaders be,And choose instead some idol false and hollow:So is it nations into ruin run,By want of noble counsellors undone.