(Verse 1) What’s left to prize in this fleeting life? Not gold, not praise, not status or strife Only this—to act in line With the path I’ve shaped inside (Pre-Chorus) The fruit of learning, the fire of thought This is the prize, the thing long sought Hold it close, don’t chase the wind Let the outer noise grow dim (Chorus) I won’t be ruled by envy or desire Won’t burn in the flames of borrowed fire Freedom lives where the soul stands still And bends its will to reason’s will (Verse 2) If I forget and chase what fades I'll drown in passions I once obeyed Jealous eyes, suspicious schemes Stealing joy from truer dreams (Pre-Chorus) But if I guard my mind with pride Let self-respect be my guide I’ll live at peace with gods and men And praise the fate that shaped me then (Chorus) I won’t be ruled by envy or desire Won’t burn in the flames of borrowed fire Freedom lives where the soul stands still And bends its will to reason’s will (Bridge) Let the world take what it may I need no more than this today A mind that’s mine, a soul that's clear That’s the prize I hold most dear (Final Chorus) I won’t be ruled by envy or desire Won’t burn in the flames of borrowed fire Freedom lives where the soul stands still And bends its will to reason’s will (Outro) Yes, I will praise what gods have given— This mind, this path, this way of living.
