Desiderata By Max Ehrmann
- 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 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 and 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.
Summary:
Meaning:
Paragraph 1:
The poet says to to accept the noise but there is more peace in silence. Try to be as nice to everyone as you possibly can for as long as you can. Voice your opinion without being rude and ignorant while still listening to others. Avoid vexatious people and treat them equally if you come across them. Don't compare yourself to others, because their lives will always seem better. Enjoy your successes but always challenge yourself the next time.
Paragraph 2:
The poet says that being humble and motivated gets you the farthest in the workplace. Don't be careless and get tricked in the workplace. But not everyone is bad in the world.
Paragraph 3:
The poet says to be yourself and don't change yourself for others. Don't fake love, for whatever reason. Don't worry about love it will happen over time.
Paragraph 4:
The poet tells us to use our wisdom of the past and accept what our body is capable of. Be resilient and don't worry about things that haven't happened or what other people might think of you. Be gentle to yourself and be disciplined.
Paragraph 5:
The poet says that you are equal to everyone else and that no matter what anyone says you have a right to be on the earth. Things happens for a reason even though they may seem bad at the time.
Paragraph 6:
The poet says to be at peace with your religion's god. Take care of yourself.
Paragraph 7:
The poet says that no matter what happens there is a beautiful world outside so be happy.
Context Written:
'Desiderata' was written in 1920 to be something for the poet to be remembered by.
Comment:
The poem' Desiderata' has very good advice about life, especially for younger people like me.