My college dorm room wall was graced with a poster of the poem Desiderata, written by Max Ehrmann, and I am forever grateful for the wisdom, peace and balance it gives me whenever I read it.
Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann
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.
Desiderata continues to resonate across generations with its profound yet simple call for peace, kindness, and inner balance. The opening lines—“Go placidly amid the noise and haste”—remind us that in a world filled with chaos, we can choose to move with grace and calmness. This advice is not about disengaging from life, but rather about finding tranquility amidst the inevitable turbulence.
The word “Desiderata” means “things desired” in Latin, and the poem indeed lays out some of the most universally desired qualities in life: peace, kindness, strength, and understanding. Ehrmann’s words guide us to be gentle with ourselves and others, to avoid comparison, and to recognize the beauty and strength within our own journey. These are not lofty ideals but practical truths for living a fulfilled and gracious life.
At its heart, Desiderata is about balance. It calls for quiet reflection in a noisy world, compassion in an often hard-edged reality, and trust in oneself when the external world is uncertain. It encourages us to “be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,” reminding us to find our own path to spirituality or connection with something greater.
In cultivating gratitude, Desiderata helps us remember that even in challenging moments, there is still room for joy and meaning. The poem’s wisdom, especially the message to “enjoy your achievements as well as your plans,” invites us to practice gratitude not just for what we’ve done but also for the potential of what is yet to come.
As we walk our own paths, Desiderata reminds us to carry forward a sense of peace and calm, knowing that, as Ehrmann writes, “the world is still a beautiful place.”