1  |   Order by index

Sep 16, 2002, 10:17pm

Go placidly amongst the noise & haste, & 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 & clearly; and listen to others, even the
dull & ignorant; for they too have their story.

Avoid loud & aggressive persons, for they are vexations to the spirit. If
you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for there
will always greater & 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 striving 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& 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 stress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue &
loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you
have a right to be there. 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 labours & 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 careful. Strive to be happy.



*Found in Old St Pauls Church, Baltimore, Dated 1692*

Sep 17, 2002, 1:31am

Now that has GOT to be one of the most inspiring and peaceful postings I've
ever seen here in the AW ngs. I am familiar with the Desiderata for many
years, and have tried to live its message of hope and peace. It is
understood in many languages throughout the world and is widely admired. I
pray that one day everyone comes to know its meaning and tries to live in
it's simplicity. In today's madness, with all our violence and hatred toward
one another, with all our trivial bickering, this inspiring message brings a
calmness and a smile whenever I read it. I hope it has the same effect on
everyone who reads it. ;-"D



[View Quote]

Sep 17, 2002, 3:56am

That is a lovely philosophy for life and living... I had read it before,
years ago... Your having posted it here made me want to get a little more
information about it's origins... Here are a few references I found, the
last one seemingly containing the correct information::: :o)
-------------------------------

Desiderata - ... Written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, and copyrighted in in 1948
by his widow, Betty. Desiderata was printed in Latin, on the stone wall of
the bell tower of St. ...
http://www.webville.net/desiderata.htm

There have been competing theories regarding the origin of Desiderata:

Found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore; Dated 1692.
Written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, and copyrighted in in 1948 by his widow,
Betty.
Desiderata was printed in Latin, on the stone wall of the bell tower of St.
Paul's Church. Max Ehrmann's contribution was to translate the Latin into
English and distribute the translation. Betty Ehrmann placed a copyright on
the translation to gain monetary control over its distribution after his
death. In 1975 the Anglican church won a lawsuit which returned Desiderata
to the public domain.
-----------------------------------------------------

DESIDERATA - Max Ehrmann - Mountain Man Graphics, Australia - ... Max
Ehrmann (1872-1945). Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia in
the Southern Summer of 1996. ... written in 1927 by. Max Ehrmann
(1872-1945). ...
http://www.magna.com.au/~prfbrown/desidera.html

"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). 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 who subsequently printed it asserted that it was found in Old St.
Paul's Church, dated 1692. The year 1692 was the founding date of the church
and has nothing to do with the poem. See Fred D. Cavinder, "Desiderata",
_TWA Ambassador_, Aug. 1973, pp. 14-15.
-----------------------------------------------

DESIDERATA - By Max Ehrmann - Miscellaneous - http://maxpages. ... - ...
DESIDERATA. By Max Ehrmann. Calling All Girls! ... Desiderata" was written
in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). In 1956, the rector of Baltimore's St.
....
http://www.maxpages.com/paginas/Desiderata_1

"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). In 1956, the
rector of Baltimore's St. Paul's Church anthologized the poem in a
mimeographed pamphlet of inspirational writings for his congregation.
Someone reprinting it later, separated from its original credit, erroneously
described it as having been found in old St. Paul's Church dated 1692,
misinterpreting the church letterhead. The year 1692 is in fact the founding
date of St. Paul's Church and has nothing to do with the poem.
Mr. Ehrmann obtained a federal copyright (NO. 962402) on January 3, 1927.
The copyright was bequeath to his widow, Bertha, upon his death in 1945.
Bertha Ehrmann renewed the copyright in 1954 then bequeath it to her nephew,
Richmond Wight, upon her death in 1962. Richmond Wight assigned the
copyright for value to the Crescendo Publishing Co. in 1971 headed by Robert
Bell. Books containing Desiderata are published by Crown Publishers and can
be obtained through bookstores. Other permissions must be obtained from the
owner of the copyright - Rorbert L. Bell, 427 South Shore Drive, Sarasota,
Florida 34234.
Further reading on these issues can be found at the following:
http://www.snopes.com/spoons/fracture/desidera.htm
http://doe.state.in.us/LearningResources/ehrmann
http://www.barreto.com/desiderata2.htm
Indiana Media Journal, Fall/Winter 1997 Vol. 20 No. 1-2
Bell vs. Combined Registry Co. 1975 court records

1  |   Order by index