A short History of 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 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.


This poem is wrongly ascribed as having been found in old St Paul’s Church dated 1692. The year 1692 is in fact the founding date of St. Paul’s Church and has nothing to do with the poem.

Max Ehrmann wrote the poem in 1927.

This poem represents a philosophy that he developed throughout his life. He wrote in his diary in 1921

“I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift – a bit of haste prose that had caught up some noble moods.”

He sent out Christmas cards including the text of Desiderata in 1933.

When Adlai Stevenson died in 1965, a guest in his home found a copy of Desiderata near his bedside and discovered that Stevenson too had planned to use it in his Christmas cards. I am also reminded that Adlai Stevenson was a man who my mother always said inspired her.

This is a poem rife with applicability in today’s world. I remember it from my own childhood. My twin brother has a copy prominent above his workstation. I recall it from my time in the sixties. This poem found a foothold with those who embraced the philosophy of love and peace.

It seems to me that we need to remind ourselves of it perennial truths.

“Be Cheerful” or Be Careful”

There is some dispute regarding this phrase near the end of the poem. One of the publishers states that Ehrmann himself changed the wording. Another story is that an errant publisher accidentally changed it from “cheerful” to careful.”

I will during the development of this poem look at each option.

Picture - Coming from Evening Church - Samuel Palmer