Top 25 Max Ehrmann Quotes (2025 Update)

1. “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.”

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Self-Esteem Quotes, Sweet Quotes, Quotes About Humanity, Appreciation Quotes, Purpose Quotes

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

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Cheer Quotes, Happy Quotes, Sunday Quotes, Resilience Quotes, Contentment Quotes

3. “If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”

— Max Ehrmann

4. “Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Happy Friday Quotes, Good Morning Quotes for Her, Friday Quotes, Wednesday Quotes

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

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Wellness Wednesday Quotes, Serenity Quotes, Positive Good Morning Quotes, Friday Morning Quotes

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

— Max Ehrmann

7. “Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Inspirational Career Quotes

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

— Max Ehrmann

9. “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.”

— Max Ehrmann

10. “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”

— Max Ehrmann

11. “Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.”

— Max Ehrmann

12. “As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.”

— Max Ehrmann

13. “Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.”

— Max Ehrmann

14. “Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.”

— Max Ehrmann

15. “You are a child of the universe...”

— Max Ehrmann

16. “Lift up my eyes from the earth and let me not forget the uses of the stars.”

— Max Ehrmann

17. “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.”

— Max Ehrmann

Featured in: Depression Quotes

18. “Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.”

— Max Ehrmann

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

— Max Ehrmann

20. “And though behind you lies a road of dust and heat and discouragement, and before you the challenge and uncertainty of untried paths, in this brief hour you are master of all highways, and the universe nestles in your soul.”

— Max Ehrmann

21. “Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.”

— Max Ehrmann

22. “For the entire Desiderata go to Inspirational Poems page.”

— Max Ehrmann

23. “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.”

— Max Ehrmann

24. “And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for life, and for time’s olden memories that are good and sweet; and may the evening’s twilight find me gentle still.”

— Max Ehrmann

25. “Forbid that I should judge others, lest I condemn myself.”

— Max Ehrmann

26. “Let me do my work each day, and if the darkened hours of despair overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me in the desolation of other times...”

— Max Ehrmann

27. “I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift – a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods.”

— Max Ehrmann

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

— Max Ehrmann