Weekly quote: On voluntary poverty

“One gains by losing and loses by gaining.” – Tao Te Ching, 6th century BC

“Themistocles, when asked whether he would marry his daughter to a good poor man, or to a rich man of less respectable character, replied, ‘I, indeed, prefer the man who lacks money to the money that lacks a man.'” – Cicero, 106 BC - 43 BC

“Perhaps I am more than unusually jealous with respect to my freedom. I feel that my connection with and obligation to society are still very slight and transient. Those slight labors which afford me a livelihood, and by which it is allowed that I am to some extent serviceable to my contemporaries, are as yet commonly a pleasure to me, and I am not often reminded that they are a necessity. So far I am successful. But I foresee that if my wants should be much increased, the labor required to supply them would become a drudgery. If I should sell both my forenoons and afternoons to society, as most appear to do, I am sure that I shall never thus sell my birthright for a mess of pottage. I wish to suggest that a man may be very industrious, and yet not spend his time well. There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting a living.” – Thoreau, 1817-1862

“Practice poverty of spirit in the midst of riches, practice richness of spirit in real poverty.”  – St. Francois de Sales, 1567-1622

[All passages taken from the wonderful book of quotes, Less is More.]