Desiderata

DonaldG · 08-06-2009, 05:40 AM

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.

**WereBo** · 08-06-2009, 10:30 AM

That's the closest thing to what I believe in, more than the the bible etc.

There was some ructions about it, a while ago. Apparently, the original copy was found in an English 13th century monastery, but it was anonymously written. Now, some American bought the copyright to it in, I think, 1957

Either way, it's a most beautiful sentiment

.

**zuluclayman** · 08-07-2009, 05:47 AM

haven't heard/read it for a while - was all the rage to have posters of this in the 70's - nearly every friend's flat/house/room/tent had one

DonaldG · 08-07-2009, 08:12 AM

It is soooo relaxing, just to read it & if just a tiny bit rubs off on me each time, I will be that much richer.

Indoril Nerevar · 08-07-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WereBo

There was some ructions about it, a while ago. Apparently, the original copy was found in an English 13th century monastery, but it was anonymously written. Now, some American bought the copyright to it in, I think, 1957

Wikipedia says differently: Desiderata

It's a pity about the mentions of God and spirits, etc. For all those who have no belief in such things, the poem's message is marred at least slightly.

**WereBo** · 08-07-2009, 11:51 AM

Ahhhh, I knew it was 19?7, but not certain - Snopes also reckons the 'Centuries old' fable is false too - It must have been part of the 'marketing ploy', at the time

I was always more concerned with the content, rather than the origins though

elf · 08-07-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indoril Nerevar

It's a pity about the mentions of God and spirits, etc. For all those who have no belief in such things, the poem's message is marred at least slightly.

but it does mention that the god is "whatever you conceive Him to be", which would leave it marred only for those who are atheistic...

JohnthePilot · 08-07-2009, 04:21 PM

Perhaps it should be Him/Her/It.

TJ Belfiore · 08-07-2009, 11:54 PM

It doesn't rhyme.

**Lord Sirian** · 08-08-2009, 01:34 AM

I don't think it is meant to rhyme. It conveys the meaning without needing to.

DonaldG · 08-08-2009, 06:05 AM

Sorry Folks - Im closing the thread as it has strayed off course....

08-06-2009, 05:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
DonaldG Manager Home Support, Assistant Manager Articles Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 10,164 OS: XPsp2 Laptop & Vista Ultimate Desktop My System Blog Entries: 1	Desiderata 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. __________________ . Lest we forget... "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Submit New Articles Here TSF's Photographer's Corner .

08-06-2009, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,454 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: Desiderata That's the closest thing to what I believe in, more than the the bible etc. There was some ructions about it, a while ago. Apparently, the original copy was found in an English 13th century monastery, but it was anonymously written. Now, some American bought the copyright to it in, I think, 1957 Either way, it's a most beautiful sentiment . __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

08-07-2009, 05:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
zuluclayman Design Team Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 3,049 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Desiderata haven't heard/read it for a while - was all the rage to have posters of this in the 70's - nearly every friend's flat/house/room/tent had one __________________ AutoGordianKnot Audacity K-Lite codec pack Irfan View GSpot TSF Photographer's Corner

08-07-2009, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
DonaldG Manager Home Support, Assistant Manager Articles Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 10,164 OS: XPsp2 Laptop & Vista Ultimate Desktop My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Desiderata It is soooo relaxing, just to read it & if just a tiny bit rubs off on me each time, I will be that much richer. __________________ . Lest we forget... "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Submit New Articles Here TSF's Photographer's Corner .

08-07-2009, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,454 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: Desiderata Ahhhh, I knew it was 19?7, but not certain - Snopes also reckons the 'Centuries old' fable is false too - It must have been part of the 'marketing ploy', at the time I was always more concerned with the content, rather than the origins though __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

08-07-2009, 04:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
JohnthePilot Manager, TSF Articles Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cheltenham, near Wales. Posts: 30,921 OS: XP Home SP3, PCLinux, Vista Home Premium SP1 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Desiderata Perhaps it should be Him/Her/It. __________________ Submit New Articles Here If you feel that TSF has helped you please make a donationand help to keep the forum free Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon Folding@Home - Team 85015

08-07-2009, 11:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
TJ Belfiore title here Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 530 Posts: 3,514 OS: 7 x64, XP x32	Re: Desiderata It doesn't rhyme. __________________

08-08-2009, 01:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lord Sirian Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,632 OS: Windows XP SP 3 My System	Re: Desiderata I don't think it is meant to rhyme. It conveys the meaning without needing to. __________________ "Come forth for the cattle call Confront the evil river you can't control Wicked ways and venomous eyes Just human nature in disguise..."- Clouds over California

08-08-2009, 06:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
DonaldG Manager Home Support, Assistant Manager Articles Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 10,164 OS: XPsp2 Laptop & Vista Ultimate Desktop My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Desiderata Sorry Folks - Im closing the thread as it has strayed off course.... __________________ . Lest we forget... "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Submit New Articles Here TSF's Photographer's Corner .