Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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.

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.

For the entire Desiderata go to Inspirational Poems page

Whether of not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Go Placidly, Amid the noise and Haste & Remember what peace there may be in silence.

May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit. Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as will keep me friendly with myself.

Let me not follow in the clamor of the world, but walk calmly in my path.

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

In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

The dead can survive as part of the lives of those that still live.

If not for love, then what else?

God may not give that instant dollar bill your seeking, but it's in the little change He brings, that will add to a dollar.

I was 15 years old when I was in this band; we were called Stag. We used to wear spandex pants and no underwear - we looked like marbles smugglers.

I think more than anything, that's when I decided politics was on.

But even our pleasures are calculated and business like. We measure our enjoyments by the sum expended. Our salons are often little better than bazaars of fashion.

Hail, Columbia! happy land! Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band! Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause.

Kindness is not about instant gratification. More often, it's akin to a low-risk investment that appreciates steadily over time.

There are eleven or twelve or thirteen cities in China with populations of over 10 million people and most people in the West have never even heard of these cities.

It is a fact which escapes no one, that, generally speaking, whoso is acquainted with his worth has but a little stock to cultivate acquaintance with.