''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 to the dull and 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.

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata," in The Poems of Max Ehrmann, p. 165 (1948).

"Desiderata" can also be found at http://www.noble.mass.edu/ref/desi.htm; and this site says:

"Desiderata" is a brief poem that has been the subject of some confusion in the public mind. The original poem is not ancient, as some believe, but dates from 1927 and was written by poet Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). This version and accompanying explanatory text is from:

Respectfully Quoted : A Dictionary of Quotations Requested From the Congressional Research Service, edited by Suzy Platt, Congressional Reference Division. Washington : Library of Congress, 1989, p. 212.

Note: At least two other printed, although undated, versions exist in which the penultimate sentence is "Be careful" instead of "Be cheerful."

There has been confusion about the authorship of this poem. In 1956, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of mimeographed inspirational material for his congregation. Someone printing it later said it was found in Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, dated 1692. The year 1692 is the founding date of the church and has nothing to do with the poem, which was written in 1927. It was widely distributed with the 1692 date. A copy of it was found on the bedside table of Adlai Stevenson's New York apartment after his death in 1965. He had been planning to use it on his Christmas cards, identifying it as an ancient poem. The Stevenson connection helped to bring the poem to the attention of the public.

—Fred D. Cavinder, "Desiderata," TWA Ambassador, August 1973, pp. 14- 15.

Jeffrey Klapes
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
Wakefield, Massachusetts

There is also something called Desiderata II, which was printed and sold with the notation, "Found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore; dated 1693." It follows:

In whatever religion you have been taught, however you have been brought up, and however you have understood your teachers . . . on these levels you will understand and grasp this message. It is not enough that this message be believed. It is a message to be lived.

The essence of Universal Religion is Peace and Truth, with Love for and Kindness to all of the creatures of the earth. Now is the time to express this essence in your own life. a beginning must be made, and the place to begin is with and in yourself.

You would reform the world? Begin with yourself, brother! [sic] The message of the unreformed reformer seldom inspires reformation.

The heart of all religion is love. And righteousness, which is love in action, is the fulfillment of Religion. Love not only family and friends! — for love limited is love denied.

Seek peace within yourself and seek, too, within yourself the Divine Breath of Life.

Persist in these things! Do not let up for a single moment! Through your faith and through your deeds you shape your life and help shape the lives of others, as well. What a responsibility!

The spirit finds in you its agent and also its partner, and to the degree that you are aware of this and act on it, your life in enriched.

A revelation will occur to you . . . a revelation higher than your most exalted dreams.

The New Age is coming, and in it there will be a realization of the Oneness of all. Differences between the various Religions will disappear. The good, which is in each of them, will be fused and will become the common goal of all mankind [sic]. Know that you have the power to choose! Choose love, not hate; choose gentleness, not violence; choose holiness, not evil.

Dare to believe that the Reign of Love and Peace is coming soon! Ready yourself for it! Ready yourself for it with deeds of righteousness! Righteousness is the door-opener, and beyond the door is love.

May power divine enter every aspect of your life endowing it with the rewards of material accomplishments, the treasures of purposeful existence, and the eternal light of spiritual achievement!