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Cover of Right Living as a Fine Art: A Study of Channing's Symphony as an Outline of the Ideal Life and Character

Right Living as a Fine Art: A Study of Channing's Symphony as an Outline of the Ideal Life and Character

Written by Newell Dwight Hillis

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About this book

"Right Living as a Fine Art" by Newell Dwight Hillis is a philosophical and motivational work written in the early 20th century. This book serves as an exploration of the ideal life and character through the lens of William Henry Channing's "My Symphony," suggesting that living beautifully requires understanding and cultivating one's spiritual and moral dimensions rather than pursuing materialistic ideals. The text encourages readers to consider the beauty of life as a fine art, emphasizing simplicity, self-awareness, and a connection to deeper values. In this study, Hillis outlines Channing's vision for a beautiful life, advocating for contentment with simplicity and the practice of virtues like frugality, love, and patience. He points out the negative consequences of wealth obsession, urging a focus on intellectual cultivation and moral character instead. The book delves into themes such as the importance of listening to the world around us in order to grow, the role of knowledge in attaining wisdom, and the transformative power of spiritual beauty within one's character. Ultimately, Hillis posits that true fulfillment and aesthetic living come from aligning one's inner life with greater ideals, particularly those exemplified by Christ.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Right Living as a Fine Art: A Study of Channing's Symphony as an Outline of the Ideal Life and Character, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • uplifting
  • philosophical
  • inspirational

Newell Dwight Hillis's "Right Living as a Fine Art" is an early 20th-century philosophical and motivational treatise that interprets William Henry Channing's "My Symphony" as a blueprint for an ideal life. The book champions the cultivation of spiritual and moral dimensions over the pursuit of materialistic wealth, presenting life itself as a work of art requiring conscious effort and self-awareness. Hillis advocates for simplicity, frugality, love, and patience, urging readers to find contentment in inner richness rather than external possessions. Ultimately, the text posits that true fulfillment and aesthetic living stem from aligning one's character with profound ideals, particularly those embodied by Christ, thereby transforming the inner life into a source of enduring beauty and wisdom.

“Right living is indeed a fine art, requiring not merely adherence to rules, but an aesthetic cultivation of the soul.”

Key themes

Spiritual Cultivation vs. Materialism
This is the central conflict and driving force of the book. Hillis relentlessly contrasts the ephemeral satisfaction of material wealth with the enduring fulfillment derived from cultivating one's inner spiritual and moral dimensions. He argues that an obsession with possessions leads to spiritual emptiness, while a focus on virtues, wisdom, and connection to higher ideals enriches the soul.
Life as a Fine Art
This overarching metaphor provides the framework for Hillis's entire philosophy. He posits that living a beautiful and meaningful life is not accidental but a deliberate, conscious act of creation, much like an artist crafting a masterpiece. This requires intentionality, self-awareness, discipline, and a pursuit of harmony and beauty in one's character and actions.
Virtue Ethics and Character Development
Hillis emphasizes the fundamental importance of cultivating specific virtues as the building blocks of an ideal character. He outlines how virtues like frugality, love, patience, and humility are not merely moral obligations but essential components for a fulfilling and aesthetically beautiful life. This theme underscores the belief that inner character, rather than external circumstances, determines true happiness and success.

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