I would say it is the lamp holder the base of the lamp, because it is a one line poem or quote. I agree with Shona it is teaching to be grateful for small things that go unnoticed. And the base of the lamp the lamp holder will be in the shade.
Also very commonly in the English language we apply human characteristics to inanimate objects, which can not be done in other languages. A lamp holder may not be able to be patient in many languages the logic and grammar of the language does not allow it. But it is valid common and often used especially in song,verse and poems etc in the English language.