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 occasion, hurry never;
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
~William Ellery Channing
