Max Ehrmann Quotes

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.

Also the moon and I have this in common: we both are wanderers across the night.

And however much you condemn the evil in the world, remember that the world is not all evil; that somewhere children are at play, as you yourself in the old days; that women still find joy in the stalwart hearts of men;

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.

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

Sleep quietly, now that the gates of the day are closed. Leave tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow. The earth is peaceful. Only the stars are abroad; and they will not cause you any trouble.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

At De Pauw I contracted a disease which I have never shaken off. The disease was idealism. Because of it I did the thing in life I wanted to do — Writing.

To be with you somewhere within this evening’s mystic shade, To hear your plans and hopes and tell you mine, all unafraid That you’d forget to hold them dear, When I’m away and you’re not here.

cherish a desire to do some useful work in your little corner of the world,

To be without desire is to be content. But contentment is not happiness. And in contentment there is no progress. Happiness is to desire something, to work for it, and to obtain at least a part of it.

Success brings hope, hope inspires fresh desire, and desire gives zest to life and joy to labour. This is true whether your days be spent in the palaces of the powerful or in some little green by-way of the world.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

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.

May I keep this vision of the castle ever before my eyes, and a belief in my heart that the journey is worth while, and the castle and the glow in the windows not all illusion.

And whatever your labours 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. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.