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**// Desiderata //** 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 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; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">for the world is full of trickery. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">many persons strive for high ideals; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">and everywhere life is full of heroism.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Be yourself. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Especially, do not feign affection. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Neither be cynical about love; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">it is as perennial as the grass.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Take kindly the counsel of the years, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">gracefully surrendering the things of youth. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Beyond a wholesome discipline, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">be gentle with yourself. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">You are a child of the universe, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">no less than the trees and the stars; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">you have a right to be here. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And whether or not it is lear to you, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Therefore be at peace with God, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">whatever you conceive Him to be, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">and whatever your labors and aspirations, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">it is still a beautiful world. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Be cheerful. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Strive to be happy.

(Latin: "desired things", plural of //[|desideratum]//) is a 1927 [|prose poem] by American writer [|Max Ehrmann] (1872-1945) in 1927.[|[1]] The text was largely unknown in the author's lifetime and became widely known after its use in a devotional.