"Desiderata" means "things wanted or needed." In the context of the
poem, the speaker is sharing with his readers what he desires them to do in the form of
directives such as "Go placidly amid the noise and haste" and "Avoid loud and
aggressive persons." We may assume these desires for the reader are desires the speaker has
for himself, in order to live a "cheerful" and "happy" life.
In order to find happiness, the speaker suggests to his readers that they stay firm in
their convictions but do so in a gentle way: "Speak your truth quietly and clearly."
Much of the poem focuses on not drawing a lot of attention to yourself; rather, joy can be found
in being "humble" and avoiding "compar[ing] yourself with others." The
speaker also urges us to put our faith in a master plan we do not understand, as "no doubt
the universe is unfolding as it should."
While words of advice are
given, caution is also shared, because "the world is full of trickery" and "sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams."...
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