Simple Life Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old simple life quotes, simple life sayings, and simple life proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

He who buys what he does not need steals from himself. Author Unknown
Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more. John Kabat-Zinn
That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest. Henry David Thoreau
Life is like art. You have to work hard to keep it simple and still have meaning. Charles De Lint
Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual. Linda Breen Pierce.
The intention of voluntary simplicity is not to dogmatically live with less. It's a more demanding intention of living with balance. This is a middle way that moves between the extremes of poverty and indulgence. Duane Elgin
If one's life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. Dalai Lama
One can furnish a room very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in. Francis Jourdain
We don't need to increase our goods nearly as much as we need to scale down our wants. Not wanting something is as good as possessing it. Donald Horban
As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity of character is no hindrance to the subtlety of intellect. John Morley
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. Thomas a Kempis
Simplicity is indeed often the sign of truth and a criterion of beauty. Mahlon Hoagland
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived a more simple and meagre life than the poor. Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy. Richard Halloway
The more we simplify our material needs the more we are free to think of other things. Eleanor Roosevelt
As we live and as we are, Simplicity -- with a capital 'S' -- is difficult to comprehend nowadays. We are no longer truly simple. We no longer live in simple terms or places. Life is a complex struggle now. It is now valiant to be simple: a courageous thing to even want to be simple. It is a spiritual thing to comprehend what simplicity means. Frank Lloyd Wright
Seek simplicity, and distrust it. Alfred North Whitehead
I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex. Oscar Wilde
Simplicity of character is no hindrance to the subtlety of intellect. John Morley
When you are through changing, you are through. Bruce Barton
Life is very simple. What I give out comes back to me. Today, I choose to give love. Louise Hay
It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder
The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. Socrates
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple, the philosophy is kindness. Dalai Lama
Beware the barrenness of a busy life. Socrates
When we love what is, it becomes so simple to live in the world. Because the world is exactly as it should be. Byron Katie
The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. Thomas Moore
If you can be content right now, then you'll always be content, because it's always right now. Willie Nelson
Simplicity and Repose are qualities that measure the true value of any work of art. Frank Lloyd Wright