Level: Intermediate
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 the dull and the 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.
Max Ehrmann, 1927
Vocabulary: To help learners fully understand the audio
and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is
provided. Vocab in bold
is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8
to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn
no more than 8-10 new words a day).
Definitions
are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary
Desiderata: something
that is needed or wanted.
Placid: calm and steady.
Amid: in or into the middle of.
Haste: speed of motion
or action: quickness that can result in mistakes.
To surrender: to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting,
etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed.
On good terms: Having a friendly or good relationship with someone.
Dull: not exciting or interesting.
Ignorant: lacking knowledge or information.
To avoid: to stay away from someone or something.
Vexation: something that
worries or annoys you.
Vain: too proud of your own appearance or abilities.
Bitter: an unpleasant flavor that is the opposite or sweet; causing painful or unpleasant emotions.
Humble: not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people.
Possession: the condition of having or owning something.
Trickery: the use of tricks to deceive or cheat someone.
Virtue: morally good behavior or character.
To strive: to try very hard to do or achieve something.
To feign: to pretend to feel or be affected by (something).
Cynical: believing that people
are generally selfish and dishonest.
Aridity: very dry:
having very little rain or water.
Disenchantment: no longer happy or satisfied with something.
Perennial: existing or continuing in the same way for a
long time.
To nurture: to help (something or
someone) to grow, develop, or succeed.
Misfortune: an unlucky condition or event.
Distress: unhappiness or pain: suffering that affects the mind or body.
Fatigue: the state of being very tired: extreme weariness.
Wholesome: good for your health and wellbeing.
To unfold: to spread or cause (something) to spread or straighten out from a folded position.
To conceive: to think of or create (something) in the mind.
Labor: physical or mental effort: work.
Aspirations: something that a person wants very much to achieve.
Sham: something that is
not what it appears to be and that is meant to trick or deceive people.
Drudgery: boring,
difficult, or unpleasant work.
Discussion
questions:
1. What part of this poem do you like the most?
2. What parts do you agree or disagree with?
3. Where do you get inspiration and wisdom?
4. How can we live a good and wise life?
5. What’s the best way to “strive to be happy”?
