Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
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I chose this as the words for my wedding service. There is wisdom in them.
Mind you we were divorced six years later. -
Wonderful poem.
It portrays a simple philosophy that would benefit anyone who chose to follow it.
Les Crane did a spoken version of this. I used to hear it played on the radio in the early 70's, and it's available online here:
http://www.imeem.com/aura660913/music/S0TG_UjE/les-crane-desiderata/ -
Right up there with Kalil Gibran
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From guest dovie jean merillo (contact)
In my sixteen years of living i never thought that as early as now i would have encounter such a wonderful inspiration from the creation/masterpiece of a genius... Max Ehrmann,Sir, you inspires me a lot that even til death i would remember your "Desiderata", and hopefully someday like the known writers, author abnd poets i could have touch lives of others the way you does... -
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Social Psychology
From guest Herbert Frick (contact)
In the Fifty five years of my studies, readings, and travels never have I come across one short writing of words that have changed a generation and the planet in the history of the world Max Ehrmann should go down in history as one of the greatest social architechs of the Twentieth Century. -
As we approach the noisy raucous commercial festival seasons perhaps we should think a little on what Ehrmann has written. Especially
In the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
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But what more could be written really?This says it all.As a loving parent would tell their child.Kind true advice.~~Suseann
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wow, way to follow the leader.
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I still can't believe this has only got one review. In my opption this is a masterpiece and one of the best poems ever writen adn it's quite shame he didnt write much else.
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It's such a shame that this is the first comment on this poem, really. It's such a wonderful piece of poetry- a masterpiece, in my opinion, and also kind of my creed. The last lines are simply so universally true that actually I do think it a pity that Mr. Ehrmann didn't write more poetry. Then again whatever he wrote, it would never have beaten Desiderata.
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