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 birds,
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.
William Henry Channing
