ASSESSMENT

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

Individually, people are pretty good. Many of them think they

have to act some other way at work; they don’t have to. But
they think they do. In their hearts, most people are kind and
good. Pay attention to that part of them.

Holding fast to one’s career  is highlighted in this stanza as it

provides one with a certain degree of stability in troubled
times. It also advises one to be cautious in this world full of
trickery  but to do so without shutting oneself to all that is good
and virtuous, for many people continue with their
unremarkable and unremarked acts of heroism in their daily
lives.

That line means let us be careful in everything we do because

the world is full of deception. Be cautious when conducting
financial transactions because many people will attempt to
dupe you. But despite the fact that there are many fraudsters
and con-men do not become blind to the fact that there are
also many good people, who have high moral standards. There
are heroes in every walk of life.
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
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 to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and 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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Paraphrase of "Desiderata"
Paragraph 1

Advice to remain calm amongst the bustle of everyday life and to practice silence. Be on
good terms with people without giving up personal values and assertiveness. Do not be
argumentative but remain calm in interactions with others, to whom you should be
respectful and attentive, even if you consider a person to be dull or ignorant. Everyone
has a right to be heard.

Paragraph 2

Avoid people who are loud and aggressive, as they may upset your equilibrium. It is
unproductive to compare yourself to other people as there will always be those higher
and lower in the pecking order/moral stakes. Any such comparisons are therefore likely
to lead to vanity or bitterness. Simply enjoy your own achievements in life and any plans
that you may have for furthering your own personal development.

Paragraph 3

Whatever your occupation, treasure it and do your best, as it is better to be employed,

however humble the work might be, than to be unemployed. Be grateful that you have
employment. Be cautious when conducting financial transactions because many people
will attempt to dupe you. But despite the fact that there are many fraudsters and con-
men don't become blind to the fact that there are also many good people, who have
high moral standards. There are heroes in every walk of life.

Paragraph 4

Don't pretend to be the type of person that you are not, or to have feelings that you do
not have. Most of all do not pretend to love a person when there is no love in your heart.
But do not underestimate the power of love, which survives in the most terrible of
circumstances. Defer to the wisdom of the older generation. Develop a strong character
that will help you to survive misfortune, but don't imagine bad things that may never
happen - you may be thinking of such things because you are tired or lonely.

Paragraph 5

Don't be overly self-critical.You are part of an all-encompassing universe and no less

important than any other component within it. You may not realise this, but there is a
pre-determined and right path that the universe is following.

Paragraph 6

Accept of the reality of God, or a greater power than human, whatever you imagine
'Him' to be. Maintain a clear conscience. Despite all of the dreadful things that happen,
the world is still beautiful. Remain cheerful and, most of all, put your best efforts into
being happy.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

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 to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and 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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Paraphrase of "Desiderata"
Paragraph 1
Advice to remain calm amongst the bustle of everyday life and to practice silence. Be on
good terms with people without giving up personal values and assertiveness. Do not be
argumentative but remain calm in interactions with others, to whom you should be
respectful and attentive, even if you consider a person to be dull or ignorant. Everyone
has a right to be heard.

Paragraph 2

Avoid people who are loud and aggressive, as they may upset your equilibrium. It is
unproductive to compare yourself to other people as there will always be those higher
and lower in the pecking order/moral stakes. Any such comparisons are therefore likely
to lead to vanity or bitterness. Simply enjoy your own achievements in life and any plans
that you may have for furthering your own personal development.

Paragraph 3

Whatever your occupation, treasure it and do your best, as it is better to be employed,

however humble the work might be, than to be unemployed. Be grateful that you have
employment. Be cautious when conducting financial transactions because many people
will attempt to dupe you. But despite the fact that there are many fraudsters and con-
men don't become blind to the fact that there are also many good people, who have
high moral standards. There are heroes in every walk of life.

Paragraph 4

Don't pretend to be the type of person that you are not, or to have feelings that you do
not have. Most of all do not pretend to love a person when there is no love in your heart.
But do not underestimate the power of love, which survives in the most terrible of
circumstances. Defer to the wisdom of the older generation. Develop a strong character
that will help you to survive misfortune, but don't imagine bad things that may never
happen - you may be thinking of such things because you are tired or lonely.

Paragraph 5

Don't be overly self-critical.You are part of an all-encompassing universe and no less

important than any other component within it. You may not realise this, but there is a
pre-determined and right path that the universe is following.

Paragraph 6
Accept of the reality of God, or a greater power than human, whatever you imagine
'Him' to be. Maintain a clear conscience. Despite all of the dreadful things that happen,
the world is still beautiful. Remain cheerful and, most of all, put your best efforts into
being happy.

Desiderata : Line by Line Explanation

Stanza 1
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

The opening promises a realm of tranquility ahead. The world is loud and fast. It’s easy
to be overwhelmed by the sensory overload. Keep your calm or ‘Go placidly’ is what the
poet advises. Interestingly the poet asks us to ‘remember’ this peace, implying that this
is not a new experience. On occasion, everyone has felt a serenity when left alone in
silence. Sometimes, we forget to draw into this ‘peace’ when we get lost in the frenetic
pace of our lives. Therefore the reminder – Keep calm and cool off.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.

Simply, give respect and keep your respect. The poet speaks of being ‘on good terms
with all persons’ or getting along well with people. It is wise to play the diplomat. And
who doesn’t like being loved by everyone? But we owe it to ourselves not to
shortchange our own principles and beliefs. The poet notes that we might need to fight
to do the right thing- ‘without surrender’.  Life is never neat. The poet understands the
difficulty of the choices we face and that’s probably why he says ‘as far as possible’. Try
not to get on the wrong side of people while doing the right thing.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

‘Truth’ here is the intimate sharing of one’s self- thoughts, experiences, feelings, ideas
or beliefs. The poet guides us to speak our truths ‘quietly and clearly’.  ‘Quietly’ –
allowing our truth the dignity it deserves while not imposing it on anyone. ‘Clearly’ so
that those who genuinely want to listen will take something of worth.
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

It takes courage to speak up. It takes an open mind to listen – a different sort of
courage. The poet asks us to give others the respect that we would expect for
ourselves. He points out that even people who seem dull or ignorant have their own
hidden stories. It’s not necessary you’ll gain insights from every conversation you have,
but ‘listening’ keeps us humbled and aware.

Stanza 2
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
Throughout the poem Desiderata, we see an emphasis on staying calm. The poet
believes this to be vital in achieving peace. Loud and aggressive people can give out
unhealthy vibes, stirring feelings of stress and restlessness around them. They seek to
dominate and become ‘Vexations to the spirit’ – or distressing to the soul.  You are the
company you keep. The reactions these people provoke will simply disturb your
equilibrium. Hence, the poet advises to best avoid such people if inner peace is the
reader’s goal.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Be content with who you are. The poet advises not to evaluate our worth through
comparisons with every other person. If you see yourself as better, misplaced pride
would make you arrogant. If you perceive yourself as inferior, chances are you’ll likely
turn resentful and petty. Bottom line, stay true to yourself. You have to be your own
biggest critic and your own biggest fan.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Perhaps one of the most subtle ways anyone has said ‘Don’t rest on your laurels’. The
poet tells us to allow ourselves credit where it is due – ‘enjoy your achievements’.
Savoring the fruits of one’s labor makes the effort worth it. Yet at the same time, he tells
us to enjoy our ‘plans’. This is a gentle nudge to go onward, plan ahead to move onto
greater things; don’t just rest on past achievements.
Stanza 3
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

A career is essentially what you choose to do with your entire life. Regardless of what
work you choose, the poet asks us to ‘keep interested’. Taking an active interest in your
work ensures that your work remains interesting. Inevitably it leads to excellence.  In the
‘changing fortunes of time’, one never knows what Fate has in store. Excellence in what
you do and finding joy in doing it become invaluable in good times or bad. This is ‘a real
possession’ or asset of real value.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.

The poet’s words are a warning. Be discreet and keep your own counsel in matters of
income and work. There are people who would manipulate a person’s opportunities,
strengths and weakness or failures to their benefit. The world can be a scheming place
and you should not give your faith blindly. You never know who will take advantage of
your reputation or your earnings.  Be on guard and keep your counsel secret is what the
poet is trying to say.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
The world might be a tricky place, but as the poet points out – there is also another side
to it. You can find heroism in equal measure. Angels walk alongside the demons. There
are people with morals and values – those who ‘strive for high ideals’.  In watching your
back, the poet counsels, don’t ignore the people who have got your back – who are
there to support you. As the poem reads, ‘let this not blind you to what virtue there is’.
Give your trust and respect to people who have earned it.
Stanza 4
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.

Be true to your heart. Disney has built an entire franchise on this concept, not to
mention how many other brands. Cliché this may be, it is still a challenge. Peer
pressure, society’s expectations and the need for acceptance are realities that we
constantly face. For peace in your heart, do not fake your feelings- ‘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.

Being ’cynical about love’ means to be distrustful or mocking about the existence of

love. True Love when found, is eternal. It is ‘as perennial as the grass’ – it does not die
after a specified period of time. Even when faced with tough and hopeless conditions –
‘aridity and disenchantment’, love will happen if it has to happen. The poet’s idea behind
the use of grass as a metaphor is that like grass, love is unconditional – it does not
require any special treatment or season to grow.
Stanza 5
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

The poet portrays Age as a teacher here. Each of the years we live makes us wiser
through all we live through. ‘Counsel of the years’ includes our own individual
experiences as well as the experience and wisdom of the elders. On the other hand,
youth is marked by inexperience, passion and restlessness. When people are young,
they are often guided by impulsion. The poet here urges us to give up those emotions of
the youth and be guided by the wisdom that mankind has gathered over the ages. Use
of the words ‘kindly’ and ‘gracefully’ reminds us to stay humble to life’s lessons without
losing our dignity.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

‘Strength of spirit’ is an inner force that is your own. Nurturing this strength is a
disciplined decision to build character.  To the poet, this is important because it allows
only you to be in charge of your life and happiness. Especially when trouble strikes,
more often than not we are caught unawares. Help then is not usually available readily.
In times like this, the strength of spirit that you cultivated will stand you in good stead.
You are not helpless or at another’s mercy. You know that you can rely on yourself.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Sometimes our minds can be our worst enemy. The poet speaks of ‘dark imaginings’ or
negative thoughts that could come from unnecessary worrying, distrust or anger. The
poem identifies the root of most fears stemming from tiredness and isolation. Therefore
he directs us to consciously steer away from depressing situations and rein our minds
in. The ‘strength of spirit’ the poet just spoke about particularly comes in handy here.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

This is a question of setting standards. The poet is discerning enough to mention a

‘wholesome’ discipline. That refers to a code of conduct needed to promote our overall
moral well-being.
Then again, the poet reminds us that we are human. Life being the unpredictable
teacher that it is, can push us into grey areas – circumstances where a rigid adherence
to our principles may not be possible. Then the poet reminds you to ‘be gentle with
yourself’ – don’t be too hard on yourself. When life demands, we must find the grace to
forgive ourselves and take comfort knowing we did our best in a particular situation.
Stanza 6
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

Sure, there is a bit of philosophical dreaminess to these lines of ‘Desiderata’. But the
meaning is still undeniable. When the poet says ‘you are a child of the universe’, he is
reminding you that you are part of a bigger world than you can imagine. Scientifically
speaking, on a cellular level, you are comprised of pretty much the same elements as
the world around you – primarily carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen. The universe
nourishes you with what you require much the same way as it nurtures other beings –
right from living things like the trees to nonliving entities like the stars.
The words ‘You have a right to be here’ are profound. No one wills themselves into
existence. Each of us were meant to be because of the designs of nature and fate.
Therefore, we all have our parts to play. By reminding us of our right to be here, the
poet is asking us to appreciate our place in the world and not belittle ourselves or our
fellow entities with whom we share the universe.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Who are we to grasp the significance of our lives in the great scheme of things? The
poet is trying to make us realize that we cannot control everything. We are but tiny
specks – infinitesimal beings in this vast universe. We cannot presume to know or
fathom the logic or pattern that the universe is working on. Seemingly unrelated events
have their own significance, becoming cause and consequence in their own right – ‘the
universe is unfolding as it should’.
Stanza 7
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,

Though the working of this universe is beyond our control, the poet is helping us find an
anchor. The clue is in the verse ‘Peace with God’. This means to submit to God and let
things run their course. Don’t fret on things beyond your control.
Understanding that God means different things to each person – ‘whatever you
conceive Him to be’, the poet reaches out to a broad audience, making God more
accessible. At a personal level, God represents the being that makes you face your
feelings, examine your actions and keep your hopes alive. In short, He is the being
whom your inner compass – your conscience – converses with.

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

Life is a jumble — organized and muddled, predictable and random, joyful and sad.
Sometimes one after the other, other times all at once. Then add the tangle of the way
our lives crisscross with others’. You get the poet’s picture of the ‘noisy confusion of
life’.
Our thoughts and deeds (labors and aspirations) are reactions to the contradictory
situations and roles Life throws at us. Ideally these should be in sync with our souls.
The ‘soul’ is your deepest self – who you are. Yet who you become is sometimes at
odds with who you want to be. Listening to your inner self and staying true to your heart
are important to keep the inner peace intact.
Stanza 8
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Don’t lose sight of the beauty of the world. Sure, bad things happen. The poet admits
there are fraud (sham), drudgery (boring, hard work) and unfulfilled dreams. No one can
pretend otherwise. But the sweeter parts of Life are also a reality that need to be
acknowledged. The poet does not want the bad bits to blind the reader to the good that
exists side by side. The world is truly a beautiful place, if you will allow yourself to see it.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

In the final word, less is more. Few simple words to provide the most impact. The poet
of ‘Desiderata’ tells us to ‘be cheerful; strive to be happy’ – look for the bright side of life.
Count your blessings. There is a lot in life to be grateful for. There are things to look
forward to.
The Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace
there may be in silence.

Stop talking to fill the silence and listen to your own

inner voice.

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 the ignorant; they too have their story.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Everyone is walking their own path with their own
struggles and could really use your good thoughts.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

Loud and noisy persons are almost always trying to get

you to pay attention to them instead of the voice of your
own heart. The internet and TV are full of these people.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and
bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than
yourself.
You are already you and nobody is going to be any
better at being you than you are. And it is OK to let
other people be who they are.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Much of the fun in life is the journey, not just the

destination. If you don’t enjoy the journey, you are
wasting most of your life.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real

possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Pick something you like to do and learn more about it,

and let everyone else do the same.

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.

Individually, people are pretty good. Many of them

think they have to act some other way at work; they
don’t have to, but they think they do. In their hearts,
most people are kind and good. Pay attention to that
part of them.
Be yourself.

Don’t pretend to be somebody you aren’t. It doesn’t

work well, never lasts, and is always a waste of time.
But understand that who you are and how you think is
going to change over the course of your lifetime.

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.

The greatest commandment is love. It is all that counts,

and if you concentrate on loving others, you will find
your own life filled with love in return.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the

things of youth.

It is OK to grow up; your view on things changes, and

it's really a lot of fun, no matter what they try to tell
you about wanting to stay a child.

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.
Authentic spirituality is always about love and light. If
a spiritual practice or religion teaches anything
different than that — especially if they are teaching you
to be afraid — that teaching is wrong, and its time for
you to let go of your attachment to it.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

That inner voice that talks to you, you have control

over. And when you let it say nice things to you, your
life becomes more beautiful.

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.

You are not a mistake, you are not a sinner, everything

you are is God. Everything. You are not cut off from
God, he doesn’t think you are bad and every day He is
sending you signs and symbols of how much He loves
you.

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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and
broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
It's OK, the part that counts most is your heart. Think
good thoughts, do good things, and allow others to do
the same for you. Your perception of life will change
tremendously, much for the better.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Let yourself be happy. Your life will be so much better

when you are.

Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata”

Grounded in psychology, philosophy, and science, Lessons from Desiderata helps you

achieve the peace and joy the poem encourages as you learn to “be gentle with yourself” and
“be cheerful”—no matter what life throws your way. For nearly a century, Max Ehrmann's
famous poem “Desiderata” has inspired people.

 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 to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
 
Written in about 1927, Desiderata wasn’t quite popular in Ermann’s time but
gained much popularity nearly after four decades. One of the most beautiful
aspects of this poem is its balance of contrasting elements. Desiderata is a
carefully composed poem where different aspects of life are considered while
providing some sound advice for a healthy living. The first stanza celebrates the
placidity with which one can and should move amid the noise and chaos of life. It
also calls for a peaceful coexistence with fellow human beings, but does it after
qualifying it within a certain parameter:  as far as possible, without surrender…
We see the poem allowing for peaceful coexistence without surrendering one’s own
self-respect and dignity thereby making the advice a realistic rather than an
idealistic one. Speaking one’s truth is balanced with listening to others,
irrespective of their intellectual abilities because people have their experiences
which may go beyond the domain of the intellect and human dignity is so
much more than mere mental prowess.
 

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.
 

In the second stanza the poet advices one to avoid loud and boastful people as,
simply put, they spoil one’s mood. (A much-needed advice in this world of ours).
Also, one mustn’t compare oneself to others as there will always be someone who
is it better or worse off than us which makes us either unnecessarily proud or
uselessly bitter. A very important piece of advice is provided in the last line of the
second stanza: that of enjoying our plans as well as our successes. This might
sound like an odd advice in an age obsessed with celebrating  achievements but it
mustn’t be forgotten that oftentimes the journey is as significant as the
destination.
 

Keep interested in your own career, however humble,

it’s 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.
 
Holding fast to one’s career is highlighted in this stanza as it provides one with a
certain degree of stability in troubled times. It also advises one to be cautious in
this world full of trickery but to do so without shutting oneself to all that is good
and virtuous, for many people continue with their unremarkable and
unremarked acts of heroism in their daily lives. The poem is peppered with
qualifiers like,  but, as far as possible, especially etc.  which is due to the fact that
life is a great complexity which cannot be reduced to an absolute. The beauty of
the poem lies in its balance and its implicit acknowledgement of the
limitations of its application.
 

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.
This stanza encourages one to be true oneself, especially in matters of love and
affection. It urges one neither to make pretensions about love “especially do not
feign affection“) or be cynical about it. A positive simile is used to describe the
role of love during the hardships of life for it is one of the few things which
thrives  as perennial as the grass even in the face of hardships and hopelessness
(aridity and disenchantment).
 

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

 gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture your 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.
A metonymy is used in this to describe the importance wisdom and experience of
old age (counsel of years) which needs to be taken with a certain degree of
openness and humility. Though one mustn’t be anxious, one must be prepared to
take on the challenges of life as is highlighted by the alliteration nurture  strength
of  spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. Once having disciplined oneself in a
healthy manner, one mustn’t be too hard on oneself either.
 

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’s unfolding as it should.
This particular stanza contains one the most striking lines in the entire poem. The
positivity of the message in this stanza is unparalleled. It involves recognising
oneself as a part of the universe in the same order of the trees and the stars. By
placing the individual as a strand in the great fabric of being, the stanza affirms
that the cosmos is conspiring to make things happen as it should, whether or not
it may lie within our comprehension.
 

Therefore, be at peace with God,

 whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
This stanza builds on the sixth stanza and encourages one to stay still and
acknowledge that things happen according to the manner in which it is meant to
be and that one should be at peace with God and with one’s soul amidst the noisy
confusion of life. It eschews the narrow confines of religion through the
line whatever you conceive him (God) to be.
 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,

 it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
The last stanza celebrates perfection within the imperfections of day-to-day
life. While much of the world is replete with defects, it is nevertheless a beautiful
world. In such a world as this,  happiness is not state but action; it is an effort and
an attitude. Perhaps this is why the poem ends with the lines:  Be cheerful. Strive
to be happy.
                       Desiderata (“desired things” in Latin) is a poem which not
only accepts imperfections of our world but also helps us rise above them and
reminds us of the little joys and beauties abounding in our lives. It reminds us
that one can still be a wide-eyed dreamer without shutting oneself to the
imperfections of the real world.