It's graduation time and with it comes advice and wisdom. Books are > always great gifts for those leaving the public school arena or for those > moving on to professional lives after concluding college. Here are two > inspirational books that are sure to boost your graduate. "Desiderata: > words for life", by Max Ehrmann, was first written back in 1927. This > remarkable poem has recently been published with beautiful photographs by > Marc Tauss. The pictures and words make a perfect combination and will > surely inspire the reader to greater heights. > A favorite part of this great poem reads: "Especially do not feign > affection. Neither be cynical about love..." There is a black and white > photo of two youngsters laughing with their parents in bed. The opposite > page has this family having a pillow fight. The expression on their faces > clearly show love and laughter. These wonderful pictures make me stop and > reflect once again about the meaning and truth to these words. > Another part of the poem advises, "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." Opposite this page is a photo of a statue of a > soldier where there are many contributions of candles, posters and flowers > covering the surrounding ground. > This short book of only 34 pages, is sure to inspire and give insight to a > future full of promise. And Ehrmann saves the best advice for last: "Be > cheerful. Strive to be happy." > _________________________ >
"Confucius, The Golden Rule", by Russell Freedman, is an insightful look > into the life of the master of advice. I consider Mr. Freedman to be one > of the very best writers (and my favorite) of factual books. And this book > is a perfect representation of Freedman's work. The reader will learn much > about the life of this great Chinese sage and the simple yet powerful > words that Confucius spoke. The author, however, is quick to point out > that Confucius' advice and words of wisdom were never written down during > Confucius' lifetime. In fact, these popular words weren't written down > for another 3 centuries. Confucius lived in 551 B.C. and, as with many of > the ancient teachers, only his disciples passed along these great concepts > by word of mouth, from generation to generation. The original source of > the sayings may never be known with certainty, but that does not change > the value of the advice and counsel. > Some of his pearls of advice are: "A promise easily made is hard to keep." > Another is: "Demand much from others, and you will avoid resentment." And > of course, his most famous golden rule: "Do not impose on others what you > do not wish for yourself." > For one who lived so long ago, it's amazing that his wisdom is still > applicable today. He had such foresight and forethought into how man > should be governed that even our founding forefathers were able to > construct the constitution by using some of his words of advice. > There's an interesting author's note in the back that will enlighten the > reader as to why Mr. Freedman wrote this book. There's also an extensive > list of sources used as well as suggestions for further reading. Frederic > Clement has painted wonderfully accurate renderings to give a distinct > feeling of China long ago. He has even added a border around each picture > to give an appearance of old, torn and ragged edges. > This is one picture book so full of information and inspiration that it > would almost be unwise not to give it to a graduate. >