Less Is More: An Anthology of Ancient & Modern Voices Raised in Praise of Simplicity

by Goldian VandenBroeck (Editor)

This timely anthology brings together thought-provoking maxims on the art of conscious living, inspired by the ancient tradition of the Golden Mean and the natural laws of economy and conservation. Less Is More draws us into the company of men and women from many eras and cultures, whose writings explore the virtues of simplicity and moderation in living.

Confucious, Patañjali, Ovid, St. Matthew, Milarepa, Rumi, Eckhart, da Vinci, St. Teresa of Avila, Basho, Thoreau, Tagore, Suzuki, Illich, and many others share profound thoughts on our wants and needs, lifestyles and lifeworks. Here is a book to be savored in quiet moments when we reflect on our hectic pace of life; when we wonder if the race to riches is worth the struggle; or when we wonder if the earth can sustain our greed for many more generations.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help, History, Business, Travel, Psychology

334 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Always bear this in mind, that very little indeed is necessary for living a happy life."
~Marcus Aurelius
from page 27

"Turn yourself into gold and then live wherever you please."
~Sri Ramakrishna
from page 143

"In short, all good things are wild and free."
~Thoreau
from page 175

see page 233 for a few more great quotes.

[Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book is basically a collection of aphorisms and quotations on why being poor is wonderful and how to be happy without many possessions. I loved it.

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

The balanced life and the golden mean! When is enough really enough? Can we strike the right balance with possessions and desires and happiness and wisdom?

“To be content with what one has is to be rich.”
Tao Te Ching

“Nothing in excess.”
The Golden Mean
Inscribed at Delphi

“Philosophy consists in avoiding excess in everything.”
Pythagoras

“To be temperate is the great virtue.”
Heraclitus

“Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.”
Thoreau

“The rich have a superfluous store of things which they do not need, and which are therefore neglected and wasted; while millions are starved to death for want of sustenance. If each retained possessions only of what he needed, no one would be in want, and all would live in contentment. As it is, the rich are discontented no less than the poor.”
Gandhi

[Michael Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a silly book and I do not recommend it. Given that the subject is the virtues of simplicity, it seems incongruous to me that this book is probably a money-making scheme for the author. Any of us could drag together a bunch of random quotations on a subject and then publish them as a book. I was hoping for something a little more considered.

[Michael Huang · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're searching for wisdom offered by the wise on living a simple life, this is the wrong book to start with. Its format is way too fragmented to offer much deep thought. Its excerpts are often too canned and cliché sounding. The organization of different chapters is also not lucid but more haphazard. The only good part is that you might mind an occasional quote that is good.

[Kelly McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top ten books of all time. I read and re-read it often. It is my intention to continue to simplify my life and the ancient and modern voices speaking to “less” help me toward this intention.

[Afrijewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in tandem with "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert K.

The takeaway from "Less Is More", is that life is meant to be simple neither complicated nor convoluted with stuff.

I will be wealthy in spirit and mind, as well as financially; yet, responsible in the sense of simplicity and giving, neither hoarding nor wasting.

It was necessary for me to read both "Less is More" and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" in tandem so as not to feel the extreme weight of each perspective. So, I have happily found a middle ground between the two points.

Also listen to recordings of Earl Nightingale. This tied everything together for me. Life here I come!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top ten books of all time. I read and re-read it often. It is my intention to continue to simplify my life and the ancient and modern voices speaking to “less” help me toward this intention.

[Don Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an earlier edition subtitled "The Art of Voluntary Poverty" It is an operator's manual for leading a simple life. Highly recommended!

[Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though it is an anthology of different writers, the sentiment is not overbearing though when repeated reinforces to me how much we fritter away ourlives in pursuit of materialism and how culturally nothing more is expected. Materialism leaves a veil over the eyes of what life can be and this book brought that point home to me. Thanks!

[kelly]

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[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a couple that gives up their hectic life in California to take over their parents' orchard out east and their quest for balance.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational

[William Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice compilation of quotes