This essay sets out a prose poem of advice, support, and philosophy about Wikipedia.

Go placidly amid the incivility and edit wars, and remember what peace there may be in dispute resolution.

Avoid POV newcomers, especially those from ethnic-torn regions or those pushing fringe nostrums, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you strive for adminship, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be those who consider themselves greater or lesser than you and who will dominate your request page. Rejoice only in your autoconfirmed status.

Exercise caution in your editing; for the wiki is full of sockpuppets and trolls. But let this not blind you to the virtue of ANI, SPI, and ARBCOM as there is little more satisfying than having your opponent on that Brony page topic-banned or indeffed. But beware the BOOMERANG.

Be yourself, but only behind an anonymous editing account. Forget Essjay at your peril.

Be not cynical about GA and FA; for in the face of the shadow of AfD they are as fresh and perennial as the grass and virtual shields against claims of OWNERSHIP. Take kindly the counsel of your experience, for your knowledge of policy will enable you to grind newcomers into pulp. Nurture a clean block log, as a log which is clean will likely remain clean and shield you before ARBCOM.

You are a child of the wikiverse, no less than the Wales and the Sanger. You, like Randy, have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you or what the essay says, there really is no deadline. Therefore be at peace with reverts, for longevity is more powerful than consensus and a damned sight better than BRD. With all its spam, frustrations, and broken dreams, Wikipedia is still an encyclopedia.

Be cheerful. Strive to AGF. There is no cabal. Really.

• Desiderata