why not keep it simple:
Desiderata
(something desired as essential)
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 the dull and 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 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 imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle to yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars and 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.
--Max Ehrmann, 1927. © Robert L. Bell
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According to some reference books, "Desiderata" is still sometimes thought to have been 'found' at Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore and to date back to 1692. It was actually written in the early 1920's by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), a lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana. Like most of Ehrmann's writings, "Desiderata" failed to attract much attention during his lifetime; three years after his death, his widow had it and some of his other works published as "The Poems of Max Ehrmann" (p.165).
During the Lenten season of 1959 or 1960, Rev. Frederick Kates, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of mimeographed devotional material for his congregation. Someone reprinting it later, separated from its original credit, erroneously describing 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.
"Desiderata" was copyrighted by Max Ehrmann on January 3, 1927 (federal copyright NO. 962402). The copyright was bequeathed to his widow, Bertha K. Ehrmann, upon his death in 1945. It was renewed in 1948 and 1954 by Bertha and bequeathed to her nephew, Richmond Wight, upon her death in 1962. In 1971, Richmond Wight assigned the copyright for value to the Crescendo Publishing Co. 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 - Robert L. Bell, 427 South Shore Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34234.
The written use of "Desiderata" without permission is believed to be generally covered under public domain laws because Max Ehrmann, although having secured a legal copyright and renewed same, never properly or in any way attached a copyright notice to copies of "Desiderata" which he released for public domain. This was tested in 1975 when the Crescendo company instituted a lawsuit, Bell v. Combined Registry Co. against a company which published "Desiderata" without permission. The court ruled in favor of the defendant because of Ehrmann's failure to properly attach copyright notices to public domain versions of the poem.
Sources: Fred D. Cavinder, "Desiderata", TWA Ambassador, Aug. 1973, pp. 14-15
Indiana Media Journal, Fall/Winter 1997 Vol. 20 No. 1-2
Bell v. Combined Registry Co., 397 F. Supp. 1241 (N.D. Ill. 1975).
Bell v. Combined Registry Co., 536 F.2d 164 (7th Cir. 5/14/1976), cert. denied 429 U.S. 1001, 97 S.Ct. 530, 50 L.Ed.2d. 612 (December 6, 1976)
Max Ehrmann |
