Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
As far as possible, without surrender,
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
If you compare yourself with others,
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
You are a child of the universe
And whether or not it is clear to you,
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
be on good terms with all persons.
and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
they are vexations to the spirit.
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble,
it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
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.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be.
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s.