The thing that goes the farthest toward making life worthwhile,

That costs the least and does the most, is just a pleasant smile.

The smile that bubbles from the heart that loves its fellow men,

Will drive away the clouds of gloom and coax¹ the sun again.

It's full of worth and goodness, too, with manly² kindness blent;

It's worth a million dollars, and it doesn't cost a cent.

There is no room for sadness when we see a cheery smile;

It always has the same good look; it's never out of style;

It nerves us on to try again when failure makes us blue;

The dimples of encouragement are good for me and you.

It pays the highest interest — for it is merely lent;

It's worth a million dollars, and it doesn't cost a cent.

A smile comes very easy — you can wrinkle up with cheer,

A hundred times before you can squeeze out a salty tear;

It ripples³ out, moreover, to the heartstrings that will tug,

And always leaves an echo that is very like a hug.

So, smile away! Folks understand what by a smile is meant;

It's worth a million dollars, and it doesn't cost a cent.