Desiderata
By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)
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 ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to 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 not this 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 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 the 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.
Desiderata is still sometimes thought to have been found at Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore and to date back to the seventeenth century. Indeed, I have a brass plaque my husband brought back to me from merry ol' England in the 70's that states as much. 1692 is the date the church itself was founded although the church was not built until the following year and at the time it was known as St Paul's Parish.
I carried a copy of Desiderata with me for many years. It has long been a favorite with many people from all walks of life but I think Hippies are probably most responsible for it's proliferation into the mainstream during the 60s and 70s although later many neo-pagans lay claim to its concepts.
Max Ehrmann obtained a federal copyright (NO. 962402) on January 3, 1927 for Desiderata. The copyright was bequeath to his widow, Bertha, upon his death in 1945. Bertha Ehrmann renewed the copyright in 1954 then bequeath it to her nephew, Richmond Wight, upon her death in 1962. Richmond Wight assigned the copyright for value to the Crescendo Publishing Co. in 1971 headed by Robert Bell. Current copyright © Robert L Bell.
Many books with more poetry by Ehrmann are available. Desiderata can be readily found on decorative prints and posters. A Grammy-Winny spoken word LP (Les Crane as the narrator) was issued in 1971 and has been reissued.
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