What Is Right Living?
The poem explores the concept of right living, emphasizing the importance of living a virtuous life. It argues that true happiness and fulfillment can only be achieved by cultivating positive qualities like kindness, compassion, and honesty. The speaker urges individuals to strive for moral excellence, abandoning selfish desires and petty ambitions. By doing so, one can attain a state of inner peace, contentment, and harmony with the world.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1906 · Genre: Self-Help, Inspirational, Philosophy · 168 words
First lines
What is right living? Just to do your best When worst seems easier. To bear the ills Of daily life with patient cheerfulness Nor waste dear time recounting them. To talk Of hopeful things when doubt is in the air. To count your blessings often, giving thanks, And to accept your sorrows silently, Nor question why you suffer. To accept The whole of life as one perfected plan, And welcome each event as part of it. To work, and love your work; to trust, to pray For larger usefulness and clearer sight. This is right living, pleasing in God's eyes, Though you be heathen, heretic or Jew.
What this Textopian page supports
What Is Right Living? is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Self-Help, Inspirational, Philosophy, Spirituality, Poetry
- Length: 168 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for What Is Right Living? by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering What Is Right Living??
- How does this novel by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Self-Help first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Here And Now by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Purpose by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Time Enough by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Luck by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Worker And The Work by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Show Me The Way by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Self-Help — Focuses on practical advice for living a fulfilling life.
- Inspirational — Encourages positive thinking and resilience.
- Philosophy — Explores existential themes and the meaning of life.
- Spirituality — Touches on spiritual acceptance and divine plans.
Tags
Philosophy · Spirituality · Self-Help · Personal Development · Motivation · Inspiration · Wellness · Mindfulness · Positive Thinking · Happiness · Fulfillment · Purpose