Yesterday’s post reminded me of Max Ehrmann’s 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.
I asked ChatGPT to write something in Ehrmann’s style. The result didn’t touch me as deeply, but a few lines were food for thought. If you are curious it is here.
July 18, 2025
…Wednesday I was in a noisy situation, silence would have been golden.
I’m glad it didn’t last forever!
Perhaps it’s just my current state of mind but honestly, I had a hard time following along with that.
Thanks for telling us. We’re all different. I discovered in the last 70s, I think, and I loved it.
I can be loud and assertive, some may say aggressive. But I’m not mean!
🙂
The first comment didn’t post and when I tried again it wouldn’t let me because it had already been written. So I added I think to make it go through and lo and behold, there are now two comments!
I deleted the second one. Thanks for trying again!
A classic
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I agree…the words of ChatGPT do not flow as evenly as the original. I’m gonna have to play around with ChatGPT and see what all it can do.
It’s interesting, and very helpful at times.
I have always loved that piece of literature. One of my favorites.
Me too!
This used to be VERY VERY popular in the sixties and seventies! Don’t know why…maybe the flower power movement?
I discovered it in the late 70s as I recall. I loved it. It’s so peaceful.
I do prefer the human composed–lol! 😉
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I remember seeing Desiderata on graduation cards and posters – a classic, for sure. I don’t know how much it resonated with some 18 year-olds, including myself. We were so impatient!
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That was a good one.
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