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Definitely know this. It was really big in the late 60's early 70's.
Back in the Day, almost all of my friends had a Copy on their living room wall.
Desiderata - Do you know this ?
Does anyones know of this. I have known of it for years. Very apt. I always thought it was found in a Boston church in the 17th Century, by an unknown author. But apparently it's attributed to Max Ehrmann ?;
"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."
Definitely know this. It was really big in the late 60's early 70's.
Back in the Day, almost all of my friends had a Copy on their living room wall.
This relates to a quote I posted recently:
"It is the dead who govern. Look how they work their will upon us! Who have made the laws? The dead! Who have made the customs that we obey and the form and shape our lives? The dead! All the writers, when they would give weight and authority to their opinions, quote the dead. Our lives follow grooves that the dead have run out with their thumbnails!"
Melville Davisson Post
Uncle Abner, Master of Mysteries
I don't know why it is that we tend to think that something older, found hidden in a old book or library and all the more, annonymous, is somehow more valid that something a present or contemporary thinker has said. Or why we decide that because someone has said some thing or a few things that make sense and sound good, that everything they say needs to be connonised. We humans are often not very discriminating in this. I read a lot and I've read some very wordy stuff, cramed full of ten dollar words and it sounds awfully intelligent except that if you know what the words mean and actually think about it, you realize that it is all BS. Its a smoke screen.
A good writer, uses language that is clearly understandable to their audience and that makes their mean clear. Sometimes it is appropriate to use very academic language, especially when writing for professional audience in a technical field. But even then it gets over used. I look at it a cultish sort of thing - if you aren't an initiate you won't know the secret language. Thing is that more often than not, much of it still turns out to be saying very little with lots of letters in the works.
I do like Desiderata.
Last edited by WildChild; 03-13-2011 at 05:26 PM. Reason: dyslexia
We can only learn to love by loving. - Iris Mudoch, British writer
Wise woman WC...
I read this years ago, when starting a business, someone gave it to me, when I got stuck, people using, and I smiled...
It's good to read it again, it speaks to people no matter whether they are where they want to be or down and out, it relates really to all people and is a positive in everyway..
Should be your signatureThen everyone will read it, who knows who it might help
Do we not realise that in order to find a soul
It doesn't happen over night
if truth were to be told.
Like everything in life that's hard to achieve
you must believe!
Yes, I agree with WC, just because writings are old it doesn't necessarily mean that they are relevant to today, are holy, or are gospel truth. But I do like and have a sensitivity to philosophy. And this is philisophy. Good advice without being opinionated. As Silver Birch says "if something you hear or see doesn't fit with you, then discard it" I think that Desiderata fits with me.
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