DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to 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 bitter or vain,
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievments
as well as your plans.
Keep interest 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 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 in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann copyright 1927.
In some reference books, Desiderata is still
sometimes thought to have been 'found' at
Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore
and to date back to 1692.
It was actually written by Max Ehrmann
and copyrighted by him in 1927,
the copyright was renewed in 1954
by Bertha K. Ehrmann.