DESIDERATA  -  the Iconic Poem by Max Ehrmann

It was written by Max Ehrmann, an American lawyer and poet, in the late 1920s. It was was famously misattributed to an anonymous source for decades.

Derived from Latin, the word translates to "things desired" or "essentials," representing qualities one should strive for in life.

The central message of Desiderata is to encourage individuals to navigate life with calmness, integrity, and respect for themselves and others, embracing peace amidst challenges and maintaining a balanced perspective.

In the 1950s, a rector at the church included the poem in a collection of devotional materials, and the church's founding date (1692) was mistaken for the poem's date.

It is a Prose Poem since it lacks a formal rhyme scheme or meter, instead using the natural rhythms of speech to deliver its philosophical advice.Often the poem is presented in one continuous stream - perhaps with fleurons between statements - but it was originally presented as shown above as 5 prose stanzas/paragraphs.

Ehrmann published Desiderata in 1927, but it did not reach global fame until several decades later.

Max Ehrmann (1872–1945) was an American writer and attorney best known for the prose poem “Desiderata.” Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, he studied at DePauw University and later Harvard Law School, then worked in his family’s meatpacking business before turning to law and writing.Ehrmann wrote poetry and essays throughout his life, often focused on inner peace, ethics, and living thoughtfully. In 1927, he wrote Desiderata (“things desired”), a calm, practical meditation on how to live with kindness, balance, and self-respect. Although it became widely popular later—especially in the mid-20th century—its authorship was sometimes confused due to a church bulletin reprint, but Max Ehrmann is the original author.He spent much of his later life writing and reflecting on philosophy and spirituality in everyday language, leaving a legacy tied mainly to Desiderata and its enduring message of steadiness and compassion.

Its message of authenticity and "being gentle with yourself" resonated deeply with the era's search for alternative spirituality and peace.Desiderata fit naturally with 1970s counterculture, including Peaceniks and Flower Power:Peaceniks / anti-war culture: Its emphasis on calm, nonviolence, tolerance, and inner steadiness echoed anti-war ideals and a desire for peace in daily life.Flower Power / hippie counterculture: Its gentle, spiritual-but-not-dogmatic tone matched the era’s interest in personal growth, mindfulness, and “live simply” values.How it spread: It circulated widely in the same shareable formats and spaces—newsletters, posters, greeting cards, dorm rooms, bookstores, and spoken-word recordings—helping it become a familiar piece of everyday inspiration.

While it mentions God, the advice is widely considered "spiritual-secular," focusing more on universal ethics and psychological well-being than specific dogma.This approach is epitomised in the line "Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be."

No you don't.In the generous spirit of Desiderata, we have three digital poster designs available Free to Download for personal or educational use.You can download them here on our website without needing to give any details. The QR code is also printed on the back of our Desiderata Notebooks, Journals and Planners for people who purchase on Amazon without visiting this website.The three digital designs are as shown below. Only the digital art is free - you need to print and frame them yourself.Go Placidly my friend 😇

Over the decades, Desiderata has been the subject of several myths and unintended edits. Most of these variations occurred as the poem was passed around via word-of-mouth, unauthorized posters, and church bulletins.The most significant changes to watch out for include:1. The "Old St. Paul's Church" MythThe most famous "variation" isn't a change in the words, but a change in the origin story. In the 1950s, a priest at St. Paul's Church in Baltimore included the poem in a mimeographed collection for his congregation. The church was founded in 1692, and a reader mistakenly thought the date applied to the poem.The Result: For years, people believed it was an "Ancient Anonymous Poem" from the 17th century rather than a 1927 copyright by Max Ehrmann.Presentation: It is common to see Desiderata posters with Gothic or similar period borders and embellishments that are inconsistent with the poems origin story.2. "Vexations" vs. "Vexatious"Original: "Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit."Modern Variant: Many printings change "vexations" to the adjective "vexatious" ("...they are vexatious to the spirit")..3. Capitalisation of "God" and "Him"Original: "Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be."Modern Variant: While most versions keep this line intact, some modern inclusive/interfaith adaptations lower-case or modify "Him," or adjust the line to read "whatever you conceive God to be."4. Capitalisation of "God" and "Him"Original: "Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be."Modern Variant: While most versions keep this line intact, some modern inclusive/interfaith adaptations lower-case or modify "Him," or adjust the line to read "whatever you conceive God to be."5. "Compare yourself with others"Original: "If you compare yourself with others..."Modern Variant: Commonly modified to "If you compare yourself to others..."6. Punctuation and Line BreaksEhrmann wrote Desiderata as a prose poem—essentially a series of five paragraphs. Over time, it has been broken down into "stanzas" that look like traditional verse or is typed in one lone continuous prose stream. While the words often stay the same, this change in formatting alters the rhythm and how a reader pauses between the pieces of advice.Because the poem was often copied by hand or re-typed on old manual typewriters, these small "dirty" errors became "canon" for many people who grew up seeing the incorrect version on posters.

Absolutely. While written nearly a century ago, Desiderata serves as an unofficial manifesto for Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in the modern professional world. Its advice to "Go placidly amid the noise and haste" is the ultimate antidote to the "always-on" culture of today. In a workplace setting, the poem advocates for psychological safety and high-integrity communication. When Ehrmann suggests being on "good terms with all persons" without surrender, he is describing the balance of professional collaboration and personal boundaries.The poem’s warning against "vexations to the spirit"—specifically loud and aggressive persons—is a timeless critique of toxic workplace dynamics. By encouraging individuals to "keep interest in your own career," it fosters a healthy sense of personal development and purpose, which is essential for long-term retention and mental health. While the mention of "God" is present, the poem's overall philosophy is universal and secular enough to fit comfortably in diverse corporate environments, focusing more on integrity, resilience, and the "art of the pause" than on any specific dogma. It is less a religious text and more a "Thinking Person’s Guide" to staying sane in the boardroom.

No. Desiderata was written in 1927 by which time Ehrmann had published at least two volumes of poetry much of which was lyrical and rhyming.In fact, you can read some of Max Ehrmann's very short poems here. There is also a new Max Ehrmann poetry collection titled "Desiderata 1927–2027: A Centennial Collection of Max Ehrmann's Poetry". This collection includes a wide range of poems from Max Ehrmann's published in his lifetime.