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Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) - Literature - Nairaland

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Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by Nobody: 12:09pm On Mar 05, 2016
I recently saw this simple, yet, deep poem framed on an office wall. It's one of the most beautiful piece I have ever come across. Here:


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
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 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 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.

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Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by dovelines: 2:34pm On Mar 10, 2016
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Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by PipSurgeon(m): 5:49pm On Mar 28, 2016
cool piece. but its wasn't able to dsplace my first,,. "IF" by RUDYARD KIPLING

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Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by Nobody: 6:03pm On Mar 28, 2016
PipSurgeon:
cool piece. but its wasn't able to dsplace my first,,. "IF" by RUDYARD KIPLING

Oh, really? Care to copy and paste 'IF' here?
smiley

Thanks @cool piece.
Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by PipSurgeon(m): 11:27pm On Mar 28, 2016
Gaborone:


Oh, really? Care to copy and paste 'IF' here?
smiley

Thanks @cool piece.
IF" RUDYARD KIPLING
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”


If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son.

here u go..

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Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by Nobody: 5:02pm On Mar 29, 2016
PipSurgeon:

here u go..
"If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim"
The above lines did it for me.
It's a very instructive poem, just like 'mine'. Loved it. Thanks.

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Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by PipSurgeon(m): 12:23am On Mar 31, 2016
Gaborone:


"If you can dream—and not make dreams your
master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your
aim"

The above lines did it for me.

It's a very instructive poem, just like 'mine'. Loved it. Thanks.
smiley wink

1 Like

Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by firestar(f): 8:07am On Mar 31, 2016
Bravo.

It feels narrative hence it being potent.

Thanks for sharing.

cool

2 Likes

Re: Desiderata -A Poem By Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) by Nobody: 9:19pm On Mar 31, 2016
firestar:
Bravo.
It feels narrative hence it being potent.
Thanks for sharing.
cool
Thanks for reading sis. smiley

1 Like

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