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Simplicity Quotes

    “Out of all virtues simplicity is my most favorite virtue. So much so that I tend to believe that simplicity can solve most of the problems, personal as well as the world problems. If the life approach is simple one need not lie so frequently, nor quarrel nor steal, nor envy, anger, abuse, kill. Everyone will have enough and plenty so need not hoard, speculate, gamble, hate. When character is beautiful, you are beautiful. That is the beauty of simplicity.”

    Ela Bhatt, via Essentialism (Page 246)

      “False science and false religion express their dogma in highly elevated language to make simple people think that they are mysterious, important, and attractive. But this mysterious language is not a sign of wisdom. The wiser a person is, the simpler the language he uses to express his thoughts.”

      Lucy Malory, via A Calendar of Wisdom (Page 247)

        “The clearest and simplest notions are almost always concealed by sophisticated meditations.”

        Marcus Tullius Cicero, A Calendar of Wisdom (Page 213)

          “Very often the simplest and least educated people can easily and unconsciously understand the meaning of life while the most scholarly people lack this ability, because they have been too educated to understand the simple things that are basic to all people.”

          Leo Tolstoy, A Calendar of Wisdom (Page 213)

            “A simple life is one of plainness, in which profit is discarded, cleverness abandoned, selfishness eliminated, and desires reduced. It is the life of perfection which seems to be incomplete, and of fullness which seems to be empty. It is the life which is as bright as light, but does not dazzle. In short, it is a life of harmony, unity, contentment, tranquillity, constancy enlightenment, peace, and long life.”

            Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts (Page 6)

              “’Where is the good knife?’ If you’re looking for your good X, you have bad Xs. Throw those out.”

              Ideopunk, LessWrong

                “Art has such an impact on people that many strange things can happen in their souls: mysteries become clearer; opaque things become evident; complicated things become simple; what is probable becomes necessary. A real artist always simplifies.”

                Henri Amiel, A Calendar of Wisdom (Page 196)

                  “Don’t overdress your thought in fine language.”

                  Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, via The Daily Stoic (Page 115)

                    “At every moment keep a sturdy mind on the task at hand, as a Roman and human being, doing it with strict and simple dignity, affection, freedom, and justice—giving yourself a break from all other considerations. You can do this if you approach each task as if it is your last, giving up every distraction, emotional subversion of reason, and all drama, vanity, and complaint over your fair share. You can see how mastery over a few things makes it possible to live an abundant and devout life—for, if you keep watch over these things, the gods won’t ask for more.”

                    Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, via The Daily Stoic (Page 37)

                    Hans Hofmann Quote on Simplifying and How Complexity Is The Enemy of Execution

                      “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

                      Hans Hofmann

                      Beyond the Quote (297/365)

                      When given the choice between simple and complicated, choose simple. Simple doesn’t mean “easier” or “less valuable.” Simple just means that less is required. Less effort needs to be exerted. Less steps need to be taken. Less thought is required. It essentially minimizes the size of the hurdle that needs to be cleared in order for the task to be completed. And in order to maximize the chances of a task being completed, simplicity is one of the most significant playing factors.

                      Read More »Hans Hofmann Quote on Simplifying and How Complexity Is The Enemy of Execution

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