Desiderata

The Desiderata Controversy...

The Desiderata has been removed from my site at the request of the copyright holder, Mr. Robert Bell.
"...As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons".
Mr. Bell threatened to sue me, if I did not remove it.

You can view the Desiderata and learn the history of it here, or simply do a web search and you'll find it elsewhere. There's over 4 million links at Google. Have fun suing everyone, Mr. Bell!
"Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit."
Mr. Bell did not write the Desiderata. It was written by Max Ehrmann, who was a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana. He lived from from 1872 to 1945. Mr. Bell's an opportunist who got lucky and purchased the rights to it and has spent the better part of the last 30 years in court suing everyone possible.
The information below is from this page:
http://www.fleurdelis.com/desidera.htm be sure to visit and read the whole story.
BELL LOSES IN FEDERAL COURT
The federal district court found in favor of the defendants, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. [See citations below] However, Mr. Bell has been successful in pursuing his copyright claim in other jurisdictions of the United States. Thus, whether or not this poem is in the public domain depends upon your point of view and your place of residence.

"...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."

Ironically, Mr. Bell's actions are diametrically opposed to the meaning of the poem. He was quite obnoxious to deal with.