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The character of a happy life - Edward Wotton

"The Character of a Happy Life by Edward Wotton describes the formula for creating a character that will help you to life a happy and fulfilled life.  In each stanza, Wotton mentions different ways in which a person can be strong and fulfilled, and achieve happiness.
In the first stanza, he mentions that happiness is "honest thought...utmost skill," and a life where you are free and don't have to "serve another's will."  So, a person who is capable of thinking well, who has a skill and purpose, and doesn't have to live in servitude. In the second stanza, Wotton mentions that you must have control of your passions. Be prepared for death and not care about wealth or fame. The third stanza talks about how you should not envy, or give too much praise, or have bad habits. The fourth stanza describes a person who is "from rumours freed" and who is not subject to flattery or ruin by men, and has a clean conscience. The fifth stanza mentions that praying is important, and reading scriptures makes a better day. The last stanza states that if one follows all of these bits of advice, and is able to forge these trait in their character, that they will be "Lord of himself and have all."
Essentially, Wotton, in his poem, is saying that the key to a happy life is to develop an outstanding, moral, honest, and tempered personality and character. It isn't until you are master of yourself, that you are free to be happy.

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