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;
to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently,
to listen to stars and birds,
babes and sages, with open heart;
await occasions, hurry never;
in a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common
– this is my symphony.
— William Ellery Channing
