Here’s the full text of Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.
DESIDERATA – The poem “Desiderata” was written by Max Ehrmann and here is the original and complete text of this classic.
This classic was written around 1920 and was copyrighted in 1927 by lawyer Max Ehrmann who was based in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born on September 16, 1872, and his parents were German immigrants.
He was a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle in 1894 and studied law and philosophy at Harvard University.
He was known as the ‘Poet Laureate’ of Terre Haute’. He wrote a lot of poems and none of them rose to fame until he died. Apart from this classic, one of his most famous writing is A Prayer, written in 1906.
The one-word title means ‘things that are yearned for’, a Latin word. The whole text is just so powerful no wonder it became really popular. The whole message is about getting through life with happiness, contentment, and a clear conscience.
See full and original context:
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 vexatious 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
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