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

Goldian VandenBroeck (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

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, Pata񪡬i, 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Straight-line logic and Western materialism tell us that having more is the right path to success. Goldian Vandenbroeck's collection takes us into the company of men and women who discovered the elusive path to satisfaction through simplicity."
(

Rik Roberts, New Age Retailer

)

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089281554X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892815548
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Words, December 8, 2001

By 

Appicchata "Appicchata" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Is More: An Anthology of Ancient & Modern Voices Raised in Praise of Simplicity (Paperback)

'Less is More' is a collection of quotes and very short essays from a multitude of sources on the value of simplicity. Some of those quoted lived and wrote many centuries ago, while others are from the near present, and of course, there are many in between. Some of the more recognizable people quoted include Ghandi, Thomas Hobbes, Socrates, Thoreau, Shakespeare, St. Francis, Pascal, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, John Kenneth Galbraith, Muhammad, Arthur Miller, and H.G. Wells. Some of the sources used are the Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Dhammapada, and the Tao Te Ching.

The quotes are grouped according to the various facets of this subject, although some of them are more obviously related to living simply than others. Most of the quotes range from a few sentences to a paragraph or two. The excerpt from the first chapter is not representative of the overall book. I have owned an earlier edition of this book for many years and continue to find it inspiring. I only wish that there were a hardcover edition available as my paperback copy is becoming rather worn from being read and re-read by myself and the people I have lent it to.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like no other simplicity book out there..., September 15, 2003

By 

Neo "Nomad" (SIMI VALLEY, US, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Is More: An Anthology of Ancient & Modern Voices Raised in Praise of Simplicity (Paperback)

Having read many books of the simplicity genre you will find that this book is unique. It has challenged me to deeply reflect upon my life and how I can further shed unecessary burdens. Before reading this book I already lived simple. After reading this book it shined the light in areas I was still attached to. This book will have an impact on my life forever. It exposes the emptiness of a life based solely on money, career, possessions, and the daily grind. Awakening the dormant spiritual giant within us that longs for depth and meaning in a society gone mad with superficiality. "Less is More" can help guide one toward the path of freedom, beauty, simplicty and adventure.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem, November 4, 2003

By 

Hayduke (Sneaky Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Is More: An Anthology of Ancient & Modern Voices Raised in Praise of Simplicity (Paperback)

I bought my copy circa 1978 at age 35 and shared it with my wife. Even though we were already instinctively thinking along these lines this book impressed us greatly. It's title became something of a household quip and we found ourselves frequently dipping into it and finding something applicable to the rat race. It became so dog-eared that we had it custom bound as a family treasure. Its wisdom has seen us into a early, modest, and satisfactory retirement.

Lots of products claim that they will change your life. This one does...