How happy is he born or taught, <br />That serveth not another's will; <br />Whose armour is his honest thought, <br />And simple truth his highest skill; <br /> <br />Whose passions not his masters are; <br />Whose soul is still prepar'd for death <br />Untied unto the world with care <br />Of princes' grace or vulgar breath; <br /> <br />Who envies none whom chance doth raise, <br />Or vice; who never understood <br />The deepest wounds are given by praise, <br />By rule of state, but not of good; <br /> <br />Who hath his life from rumours freed; <br />Whose conscience is his strong retreat; <br />Whose state can neither flatterers feed, <br />Nor ruins make accusers great; <br /> <br />Who God doth late and early pray, <br />More of his grace than goods to send, <br />And entertains the harmless day <br />With a well-chosen book or friend. <br /> <br />This man is free from servile bands <br />Of hope to rise or fear to fall; <br />Lord of himself, though not of lands; <br />And having nothing, yet hath all.<br /><br />Sir Henry Wotton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-character-of-a-happy-life/
