Desiderata
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.
Max
Ehrmann,
Desiderata,
Copyright
1952.
I
often
find
comfort
in
this
poem
and
more
recently
have
been
reading
it
a
little
more
often.
I
thought
I
would
share
it.
Enjoy!
