Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

"Desiderata" (Latin for "desired things", plural of desideratum) is an inspirational prose poem about attaining happiness in life. See video and listen to audio after the jump.





Max Ehrmann first published it in 1927. Desiderata was inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary: "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods." The poem has been the subject of several copyright disputes, and Ehrmann's authorship has been called into question after a church claimed it was prose originaly written in 1692,but conventional belief is that the modern language the poem is written indicates that it was indeed the original work of Ehrmann.no doubt inspired by his studies of classical philosophy.

Below the poem is read definitively by the brilliantly talented youtuber David Buchalter a PhD student at the University of Arizona. He focuses on Medieval and Early Modern English literature, especially in Chaucer and Shakespeare,and has a very fine voice for reciting poetry. His very interesting channel covering his music and poetry etc etc can be found at this link. http://www.youtube.com/user/dsbuchalter

[The text above is by that student.Some info seem to be taken by Wikipedia, too.]


I prefer the reading of Buchalter, because he really has a soothing, chanting voice. I put also the video above because I found it very atmospheric. The video also doesn't have the whole poem, but the audio below does.



Here is the poem:

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.