Desiderata Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence. and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons. be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story. they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit. they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter; you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than for always there will be greater and lesser persons than
yourself. yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery. for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism. and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass. it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth. gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden
misfortune. misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself. be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars; no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your
soul. soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952. Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
