Simple living may be trendy these days, but it isn’t a new idea. In fact, philosophers and great thinkers have been talking about simplicity for centuries. Today, I’m turning my blog over to some of the wisdom that has been shared over the years with my favourite simple living quotes from some of the smartest people the world has ever known.
Simple living quotes
People often equate simple living with giving things up and having less. As these quotes show, it’s about so much more than that. Simple living is about having enough of what you need, unlocking happiness and joy, and freeing up time to focus on the really important things.
Now, let’s turn things over to the wisdom of experts for some simple living quotes.
On having enough
If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.
Oprah Winfrey
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to remove.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Simplicity boils down to two things: identify the essential and eliminate the rest…
Leo Babuata
On unlocking happiness and joy
A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.
Albert Einstein
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.
Charles Spurgeon
The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
Socrates
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Robert Brault
Simplicity is not the opposite of wealth. It is the door to the riches you already own.
Alan Cohen
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On freeing up time
Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.
Lin Yutang
In the 1980s, simplicity was seen primarily as ‘downshifting,’ or pulling back from the rat race of consumer society. Several decades later, there is a growing recognition of simplicity as ‘upshifting’ — or moving beyond the rat race to the human race.
Duane Elgin
The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have the more free you are.
Mother Teresa
And the last word goes to…
I’m a big fan of Dolly Parton. She has managed to remain humble and stay true to her simple roots despite her phenomenal success. It felt right to give the last word to her…
They think I’m simpleminded because I seem to be happy. Why shouldn’t I be happy? I have everything I ever wanted and more. Maybe I am simpleminded. Maybe that’s the key: simple.
Dolly Parton
You can’t argue with that!
Which of these quotes meant the most to you? Tell me your thoughts below.
I’ve always loved and lived by that Oprah quote… and that’s reminded me in my life to focus on what I do have rather than what I don’t have! Thanks for this reminder!
It’s so true. If we continually chase things to make us happy, we’ll never be happy.
This is gold, Michelle. My favorite is the one on leaving things undone. It is such a refreshing concept.
I know. There is so much wisdom in not trying to do it all. That’s why people are so frazzled all the time—we’ve forgotten how to just “be”. I think that’s why the pandemic has been so difficult for people.
Fantastic list, nothing like a memorable quote to remind you of your why
Thank you! I agree. So many of these quotes are words to live by.
I love the Dolly Parton quote.
She always seems to across as upbeat and happy. I always enjoy watching and listening to her interviews. 😀
I agree. She’s such an inspiration and has never forgotten her simple roots despite all her wealth and success.
This is a great list of inspiring quotes. My favorite is: “Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential, eliminate the rest.” This is such a simple idea but it can be understood by everyone. All we need to do is fill in what is essential to us.
I think that’s the challenge for some people – rejecting what the outside world wants you to think is essential and identifying what really matters to you.