quote · Legacy record
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.
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.
Approximate author period: c. 1817 AD · industrial
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- William Ellery Channing
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
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- Approximate author period: c. 1817 AD · industrial
documented author birth year (1817)
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- Thoughts: Selected from the writings of favorite authors (1901) (1901 AD)
Complete signed selection 446; printed byline: William Ellery Channing; New York: Dodge Publishing Company, 1901
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