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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 will 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 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 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 careful. Strive to be happy.
Anonymous
Song of the Open Road
From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits
and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master total and absolute,
Listening to others, considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.
I inhale great draughts of space,
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.
I am larger, better than I thought,
I did not know I held so much goodness.
All seems beautiful to me,
I can repeat over to men and women: You have done such good to me I would do the same to
you.
I will recruit for myself and you as I go,
I will scatter myself among men and women as I go,
I will toss a new gladness and roughness among them,
Whoever denies me it shall not trouble me,
Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed and shall bless me.
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