第2141期：你最想得到的东西是什么？
每个人都想得到很多东西，都有最想得到的，然而欲望中的大多数目标都实现不了。佛教认为想得到而得不到是人生一苦，基督教则把贪婪定为七宗罪之一，可见总想得到是普遍的人性。
英文里专门有个词，意思就是“想得到的东西”，是个拉丁语词：desiderata，意思就是 things desired.
*注：desiderata 是复数（-a结尾），单数形式是 desideratum（-um结尾），人想得到的东西太多了，所以这个词的单数形式反而很少见。常见的构词例子又如，media（媒介、媒体）的单数形式是 medium，很多人没有意识到。
读音：
- Desideratum /dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm/
- Desiderata /dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtə/
这个拉丁语词怎么记住？
你看它的字根是不是和desire很像？可以联想这个词就是 desire + consider糅合来的 – desiderata.
记住了吗？
美国作家 Max Ehrmann 1927年写了一首散文诗（prose poem），题目就用了这个词，下面邀你一起欣赏这首著名的诗。
这首诗语言简单平实，但有奇特的静心效果，你一边慢慢读一边感受一下。
“Desiderata – Words for Life”
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
*The poem is now officially in the public domain since 2023.
全诗分为了八段，每一段讲了一个道理，就当作一位长者的人生格言吧：
be on good terms with all persons 与人为善
listen to others 学会倾听
Do not compare yourself with others 不要与人比较
Have interest in what you do 热爱自己在做的事
Exercise caution in public “逢人且说三分话，未可全抛一片心”（《增广贤文》）
Be your true self 诚实面对自己，不假装，不虚妄
Accept aging 学会接受年老的事实，不要沉迷回忆
Do not fear; nurture strength 消除假想出来的恐惧，默默准备好迎接风雨
Be gentle with yourself 善待自己
Be at peace with God 相信造物主自有安排，尽管满目疮痍，世界仍旧美好。
希望你喜欢这首英文散文诗，更希望你今天安心、平和，暂时忘记那些你想得到的东西，因为就在你静心的这一刻，你已经得到了很多。
