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Desiderata Trivia Quiz

This wonderful prose poem, "Desiderata" (Latin for "desired things"), copyrighted in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, is about attaining happiness in life. I adopted "Desiderata" as my credo as a teen in the early 1970s. I hope you like it as much as I do!

A multiple-choice quiz by Footsie1. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Footsie1

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
256,526

Updated
Dec 09 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
931

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 103 (8/10), Guest 116 (8/10), Guest 14 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The poem, "Desiderata," begins: "Go placidly amid the ____________. " Which of the following phrases completes this line? Hint

clatter and rushing

weeds and thorns

racket and moodiness

noise and haste

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What was the title of a recording of "Desiderata," made in 1968 by the actor Leonard Nimoy, in character as Star Trek's Mr. Spock? Hint

Spock's Logic

Spock Speaks of Space

Logical Lessons

Spock Thoughts

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the __________________ ; they too have their story." Which of the following phrases completes this line from "Desiderata"? Hint

loud and stupid

beautiful and arrogant

silly and ignorant

dull and ignorant

4. Some good advice in "Desiderata" includes:
"Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you ______________ with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself." What phrase completes this line from "Desiderata"?
Hint

hang around

want to be in favor

exchange gossip

compare yourself

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of my favorite messages from "Desiderata" deals with the goodness found in others. Ehrmann says, despite the world being "full of trickery, many persons strive for ____________;
and everywhere life is full of ___________." Which phrases complete this line from "Desiderata"? Hint

great wealth; good luck

high ideals; heroism

personal pride; compliments

understanding; love

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ehrmann's "Desiderata" offers a special piece of advice for young people: "Take kindly the counsel of the ___________,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth." Which of the following completes the line?
Hint

old folks

years

lawmakers

past

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Another of my favorite phrases from "Desiderata" is: "You are a child of the universe, no less than the ________________;
you have a right to be here." Which phrase below completes this line? Hint

babes in the woods

ocean waves and seashells

stars in Hollywood

trees and the stars

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What was Max Ehrmann's profession? Hint

preacher

lawyer

teacher

social worker

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Question 9 of 10

9. I was especially fond of Ehrmann's openness concerning personal beliefs: "Therefore be at peace with __________,...and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your __________." Which of the following phrases completes this line from "Desiderata"? Hint

the government; superiors

your in-laws; children

your church; neighbors

God; soul

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. As a youngster in the 1960s, I knew that I would later put this phrase below my high school yearbook photo: "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is _____________________." What phrase below completes this line from "Desiderata"?
Hint

a lovely place to visit

necessary to be spiritual

hard to live in this place

still a beautiful world

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 18 2024 : Guest 103: 8/10
Oct 27 2024 : Guest 116: 8/10
Oct 15 2024 : Guest 14: 10/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The poem, "Desiderata," begins: "Go placidly amid the ____________. " Which of the following phrases completes this line?

Answer: noise and haste

"Desiderata" was often claimed to have been found in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland, and written in 1692. In 1959, however, it was distributed by the Rev. Frederick Kates, the rector of St. Paul's Church, to his congregation as part of a collection of devotional materials he had compiled. The handout included the notation, "Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692." The church was founded in 1692. A later publisher apparently interpreted this notation as meaning that the poem itself was dated 1692 and had been found in Old St. Paul's Church.

2. What was the title of a recording of "Desiderata," made in 1968 by the actor Leonard Nimoy, in character as Star Trek's Mr. Spock?

Answer: Spock Thoughts

The album was titled, "The Two Sides of Mr. Spock." One side of the album presented songs and monologues by the actor, Leonard Nimoy, and the other side contained songs and readings by the character, Mr. Spock. I was one of the proud owners of this album.

3. "Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the __________________ ; they too have their story." Which of the following phrases completes this line from "Desiderata"?

Answer: dull and ignorant

I try my best to avoid the others....

4. Some good advice in "Desiderata" includes: "Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you ______________ with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself." What phrase completes this line from "Desiderata"?

Answer: compare yourself

Some of the language of "Desiderata" should have indicated that it was a more modern production than a piece written in the 17th century. The piece was perfect for the "make love (or peace), not war" mentality of the 1960s.

5. One of my favorite messages from "Desiderata" deals with the goodness found in others. Ehrmann says, despite the world being "full of trickery, many persons strive for ____________; and everywhere life is full of ___________." Which phrases complete this line from "Desiderata"?

Answer: high ideals; heroism

Ehrmann appeared to believe in the basic goodness of most people. He wrote, in his diary: "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."

6. Ehrmann's "Desiderata" offers a special piece of advice for young people: "Take kindly the counsel of the ___________, gracefully surrendering the things of youth." Which of the following completes the line?

Answer: years

Ehrmann also encourages us to be strong in the face of unexpected misfortune and not to dwell on thoughts and fears of such events.

7. Another of my favorite phrases from "Desiderata" is: "You are a child of the universe, no less than the ________________; you have a right to be here." Which phrase below completes this line?

Answer: trees and the stars

When Democratic politician Adlai Stevenson died in 1965, a copy of "Desiderata" was found on his nightstand; he had intended to use it as part of his Christmas card mailing. Once this discovery was made, the fame and mystery surrounding "Desiderata" increased greatly.

8. What was Max Ehrmann's profession?

Answer: lawyer

Max Ehrmann was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on September 16, 1872 of German immigrant parents. He practiced law and then began writing. Max Ehrmann was known as the 'Poet Laureate' of Terre Haute.

Answer: God; soul

Ehrmann served as a Vigo County, Indiana, deputy prosecutor. He preferred, however, to meditate about life's meaning and lectured to the Terre Haute Literary Club. His brothers, all successful businessmen, sometimes helped him financially, giving him the freedom to pursue a literary career.

Answer: still a beautiful world

There is some confusion about the exact wording of the last lines of "Desiderata." Some say, "Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." I prefer, "Be careful. Strive to be happy." I hope you will read "Desiderata" and make your choice!

Source: Author Footsie1

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