The Latest Decalogue

 The Latest Decalogue

 

By Arthur Hugh Clough

(English poet and scholar, 1819–1861)

 

 

THOU shalt have one God only; who   

Would be at the expense of two?

No graven images may be

Worshipped, except the currency.    

Swear not at all; for, for thy curse          

Thine enemy is none the worse.

At church on Sunday to attend 

Will serve to keep the world thy friend.  

Honor thy parents; that is, all  

From whom advancement may befall.            

Thou shalt not kill; but need’st not strive     

Officiously to keep alive.   

Do not adultery commit;   

Advantage rarely comes of it.   

Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,        

When it’s so lucrative to cheat. 

Bear not false witness; let the lie    

Have time on its own wings to fly.  

Thou shalt not covet, but tradition  

Approves all forms of competition.