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, babes and sages, with open heart
to bear all cheerfully
do all bravely, 
await occasions, never hurry;

in a word, 
to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.


-- William Ellery Channing