Out of a hundred people

those who always know better --fifty-two

doubting every step --nearly all the rest,

glad to lend a hand if it doesn't take too long --as high as forty-nine,

always good because they can't be otherwise --four, well maybe five,

able to admire without envy --eighteen,

suffering illusions induced by fleeting youth --sixty, give or take a few,

not to be taken lightly --forty and four,

living in constant fear of someone or something --seventy-seven,

capable of happiness --twenty-something tops,

harmless singly, savage in crowds --half at least,

cruel when forced by circumstances --better not to know even ballpark figures,

wise after the fact --just a couple more than wise before it,

taking only things from life --thirty (I wish I were wrong),

hunched in pain, no flashlight in the dark --eighty-three sooner or later,

righteous --thirty-five, which is a lot,

righteous and understanding --three,

worthy of compassion --ninety-nine,

mortal -- a hundred out of a hundred. thus far this figure still remains unchanged.