William Henry Channing
To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable;
and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard,
think quietly,
talk gently,
act frankly;
to listen to stars and buds,
to babes and sages, with open heart;
to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely,
await occasions,
hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable;
and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard,
think quietly,
talk gently,
act frankly;
to listen to stars and buds,
to babes and sages, with open heart;
to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely,
await occasions,
hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
