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 an 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 commonplace.
This is to be my symphony.
- William Henry Channing