Sage Parnassus: Simple Living in the New Year

"Wise men are feeling strongly that prudence requires of us, ... to live simple lives, to avoid excesses, even if they come in the way of athletic or intellectual toils, and to eschew possessions more than are necessary for fit and simple living. Perhaps it is lawful for us to allow ourselves, in our furniture and implements, beauty of form and colour, and fitness for our uses; but it may be our duty not to accumulate unnecessary possessions, the care of which becomes a responsibility, and whose value lies in their costliness. These things interfere with that real wealth of a serviceable body and alert mind which we owe to the service of our country as well as that of our home." - Charlotte Mason, Vol. 4, book 2, p. 54

The above quote is Mason musing on some lessons from Plutarch. The whole section is interesting and I encourage you to read the entire passage. Her thoughts fit right into the simple living ideas that are popular today. I am reminded of the William Morris quote, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

Just a little interior design advice from Miss Mason herself!

Looking forward to a New Year with you,

Nancy

9 comments:

UnknownJanuary 1, 2015 at 1:49 PM
Looking forward to a New Year with you also, Nancy. :)
UnknownJanuary 1, 2015 at 1:58 PM
You know. I have been thinking about this very topic in a way. Just the idea of excess...even things that are FREE or a good deal. Just because they are FREE or inexpensive doesn't mean I need them. The other day for example, I was organizing my ebooks on my Kindle. Even though most of them were free/inexpensive, I consciously caught my self spending a lot of precious time on them.

Also my husband and I were raised in very different situations. I was pretty "spoiled" material wise whereas he was "starved" for also even the basic necessities. We both now look at life/buying things/money/finances/giving etc SO differently. Where I might be wasteful at times, he finds himself hording.

I appreciate this post a lot, because it is sorta "confirmation" if you will about just using a lot of the things/books/resources I have already, instead of the "MORE, MORE, MORE" attitude that I struggle with at times.
Mrs. Claudia EvansJanuary 1, 2015 at 7:19 PM
Thank you, Nancy, for presenting the simple living message so ....simply! I appreciate that you write just the right amount, or a little less than I want, which causes me to often search your site for more. Even if I have just a sliver of time, I know I'll learn something new or get a nugget of encouragement. I'm off to mark that spot in Volume 4. Blessings to you and yours in 2015! Claudia
PhyllisJanuary 2, 2015 at 5:27 AM
That is a very valuable message. Thank you for the reminder.
Mary PratherJanuary 12, 2015 at 3:43 AM
Happy New Year -- thank you for a lovely post!
amy in peruJanuary 15, 2015 at 7:17 AM
Thank you, Nancy!
LauraJanuary 20, 2015 at 2:11 PM
I haven't read that volume yet - what a great quote! I just took a minivan full of stuff out of the house yesterday and it is so freeing!
NadeneJanuary 22, 2015 at 3:06 AM
What a wonderful quote to inspire! Starting our new school year, your post comes just when I am purging, sorting and packing away our homeschool study/ craft room. There is a wonderful simplicity in having those things we need, use and enjoy on hand with space to work and pack things away afterwards. Somehow simplicity brings focus and motivation ... for me, at least, my youngest battles with my purging!