Until a few nights ago, I had never heard of the Desiderata. Though the word is latin (it’s translates to “desired things”), I probably would have guessed it was something you’d order in a Mexican restaurant. Turns out, it’s a poetic work of pure inspiration likely penned by Max Ehrmann during the 1920s.
One of my cousins, in town for my paternal grandmother and grandfather’s 90th birthday celebration, told me that I needed to look it up. And indeed, I’ve been madly in love ever since. Cheesy? At times. Cliche? Maybe a little. Powerful, true and uplifting? Totally!
Today, I want to share it with you. I can’t think of a better way to start your week (that doesn’t involve penises). Enjoy:
Desiderata
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.
February 20, 2011 at 4:07 pm
love it Davey got me all watery eyed.
love you
jay
peace and love xxx
February 20, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Hey Davey,
I’m surprised that you haven’t read the Desiderata before. It’s been one of my favorite poems for years. I have it printed out and hanging on a wall next to my door, so I can see it and be reminded of what it says whenever I leave the house, especially if I’m in a funk for some season.
I’m glad that it finally found you and is now part of your life,
Peace, Love and Truth,
Todd in VA
February 20, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Davey
Sharing you had never heard of Desiderata brings to mind the old saying, “Everything old is new again.”
Glad you found it, it does contain worthwhile ideals to live life.
Go placcidly!
Mike
February 20, 2011 at 4:38 pm
BRAVO!!!!!!
February 20, 2011 at 4:44 pm
i love it!!!!!! and i love your blog!
February 20, 2011 at 4:58 pm
typo: should be “for some reason”, not season.
Todd in VA
February 20, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Why is this the only page I can see? Where’s the rest of your blog?
February 20, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Davey! I was so excited to see your Desiderata post. This poem has had such a major, positive effect on my life! So much so that I have “Desiderata” scrolled across the tops of my feet in a tattoo… I’m glad you found it
February 20, 2011 at 6:59 pm
That was beautiful and very inspiring. Thanks for sharing it…
February 20, 2011 at 8:01 pm
this is just what I needed.
February 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Davey,
If you like Desiderata, you’d probably also enjoy The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer (if you haven’t already seen it.) It is available here: http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/
Your fan in Tennessee,
Mark
February 20, 2011 at 9:25 pm
“Go placcidly”
Another great!
February 20, 2011 at 9:43 pm
In 1971, the Desiderata was set to music by the artist, Les Crane, and it was very well received. Legend says the Desiderata was found inside a Baltimore church in the 1690′s. More likely it was written in the early 20th Century and it was copyrighted in 1927. It is an moving piece.
February 20, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Nice, DW! Thanks!
February 20, 2011 at 10:31 pm
This has been one of my favourite pieces of poetry since I was in highschool. I hadn’t read it in years and was searching for a new Dr. I went into the office of one who I thought would be pretty good. When I saw a copy of the Desiderata on his wall I knew he was my guy. He’s been my Dr. for 7 years now. It’s such a great piece of writing.
The third-to-last stanza is my favourite. It has helped me to persevere through a lot and whenever I feel that something’s wrong I always tell myself the universe is definitely unfolding as it should. It helps to acept what’s so.
Thanks for sharing it Davey!
February 21, 2011 at 1:07 am
This poem came into my life when the nursing home I work at received an amazing little 106-year-old woman. I became best friends with her in a matter of days and I love as I love my actual grandparents. This was hanging on her wall and I asked about one day. She told me that she lived her life as the poem suggested. This woman and all of her family are the happiest and nicest people I have ever met! They aren’t rich but they have the most love in their family I’ve ever seen. They also have such a strong family dynamic it’s hard to explain!
I’m glad you’ve found this amazing piece of literature, Davey! Thanks for making it’s existence known, once again, to the world! Take care!
Ben
February 21, 2011 at 1:17 am
My favorite book and poem ever!!!!!
February 21, 2011 at 1:23 am
Just skimming over it, it looks like someone took all of the proverbs of all the holiest books in the world, and condensed it into something that anyone can understand. I like that.
February 21, 2011 at 2:03 am
Davey:
This posting is like a familiar and almost forgotten conversation with an ancient relative. When I was a kid I think there was a radio version of this spoken my a deeply-voiced baritone, perhaps with angelic “Ooo’s” from time to time during the performance; but I may be inventing that part.
You know, as a child there was some eye-rolling with this. It seemed of a piece with the people who were cranking out macrame owls with bead eyes.
But the poetry today, a few miles down the road, is interesting:
“With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
February 21, 2011 at 5:40 am
SO nice…makes me cry for how is amazing this one….however “Desiderata” is an italian word and as you write mean needed in italian we can use it also as dreamed:) you’re great!!!!!
February 21, 2011 at 8:01 am
Now I have two great things to think about and start my week. Desiderata and Penises.
Peace out.
February 21, 2011 at 8:42 am
Wow, this is deja vu all over again! This poem emerged (re-emerged, I guess) while I was coming of age in the late sixties and early seventies. We all thought we were very cool to know this poem and it became kind of a counter-cultural manifesto. Davey, I don’t think many of us can put thinking of penis on the back burner for very much else, but good try.
February 21, 2011 at 9:15 am
Davide-maybe this Desiderata is similar to the Serenity Prayer-St Francis of Assisi?i see some similarity.
February 21, 2011 at 9:25 am
This was the ‘anthem’ of the 60′s!! Any ‘good’ hippie knew it by heart!!
Nothing cliche about it at all. Cheesy?!
February 21, 2011 at 10:23 am
Was very popular when I was coming up in the ’70s. Check this reading of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWOyoIMr7Q
February 21, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@ Jim : Totally agree, friend. As an aging hippie myself, I am surprised that a well educated dude like Davey Wavey managed to get out of school and never run into this gem.
Trudeau, our former Prime Minister here in kinder, gentler Canada, took a walk in the snow after years in power, and announced to the reporters that “the universe was unfolding as it should” and then resigned. It’s always good to know when to change.
Thanks for the reminder of these pearls of wisdom.
Be well,
February 21, 2011 at 3:52 pm
When I read poems like this, it makes me wonder how somebody, a real person could write something so wonderful and inciteful as this piece.
February 22, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I’m in Terre Haute, Indiana, the home of Max Ehrmann, the author of Desiderata (and no, it was not found inside a Baltimore church in the 1690′s…. ; )
We even have a statue of him, peacefully sitting on a park bench, downtown.
Thank you for finding and posting “Desiderata!”
February 22, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I love The Invitation!
February 22, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Very ironic. I’m from Terre Haute, Indiana also but didn’t know the author was from there. But I do remember a huge mural on the wall of my high school (South) with the quote “You are a child of the universe”.
February 22, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Ya maybe I guess so Christopher
February 23, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Just the same.
February 25, 2011 at 2:14 am
over a month ago, my teacher told us to memorize it. i really didn’t know that this poem was a hit! maybe you should try the PARADOX of OUR TIME.it is also as great as the Desiderata
March 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm
i came across this years ago and it made a big impression on me. I’m so happy you found this and shared it with everyone. I haven’t thought about it for a while but i’m gonna try to get back into reading it everyday, i always feel better when i do.