BY MAX EHRMANN
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 vain or 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.
I learned this poem in high school, and back then, I actually memorized it. (Challenge to self: memorize this again!) After many years of course, it was almost consigned into near-oblivion. Until I came across it again during the National Youth Day 2015, held in Tuguegarao City. One of the speakers in a concurrent session on Tithing ended his short lecture by reciting the Desiderata. I was the only one familiar with it, which, alas, revealed my age to the group! (I wonder what sort of Literature university students learn these days?)
While searching for it (for this blog), I came across commentaries that find this poem almost like heresy. I won't comment on that in this blog entry. I'd rather take in what I can re-learn from this poem, and just appreciate this piece of literature.
Pax omnis!
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 vain or 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.
____________________
I learned this poem in high school, and back then, I actually memorized it. (Challenge to self: memorize this again!) After many years of course, it was almost consigned into near-oblivion. Until I came across it again during the National Youth Day 2015, held in Tuguegarao City. One of the speakers in a concurrent session on Tithing ended his short lecture by reciting the Desiderata. I was the only one familiar with it, which, alas, revealed my age to the group! (I wonder what sort of Literature university students learn these days?)
While searching for it (for this blog), I came across commentaries that find this poem almost like heresy. I won't comment on that in this blog entry. I'd rather take in what I can re-learn from this poem, and just appreciate this piece of literature.
Pax omnis!
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