---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The main things are the plain things, and…"
description: "\"The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.\" — Alistair Begg"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png"
---

#  The main things are the plain things, and the plain things…

![“The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” quote by Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png)

> “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.”

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fundamental truths are simple; focusing on basics reveals what truly matters.

**In simple terms:** Simple things are the main things.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize basics over complexity.

Themes

simplicity fundamentals focus values

Mood

encouraging clarifying

Type

spiritual practical

When to use this quote

- life coaching
- teaching
- spiritual guidance

Key Concepts

philosophy theology minimalism

Questions to Reflect On

- What simple truths are you overlooking?
- How can you integrate basics into daily life?

A Different Perspective

Over‑complication can obscure truth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [Cause without you my flavor is a little plain and no one likes plain things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-taylor/cause-without-you-my-flavor-is-a-little-plain-and-no-one-likes-plain/)

[Angel Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angel-taylor/)

> [Football is one of the main things I can look back on with pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-pasdar/football-is-one-of-the-main-things-i-can-look-back-on-with-pride/)

[Adrian Pasdar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-pasdar/)

> [“He didn't notice me at first. They never do. That's one of the things about being plain—you often get ignored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-warren/he-didn-t-notice-me-at-first-they-never-do-that-s-one-of-the-things/)

Samantha Warren

> [Our posterity will wonder about our ignorance of things so plain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/our-posterity-will-wonder-about-our-ignorance-of-things-so-plain/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [The Constitution isn't written in Chinese, Swahili or Sanskrit. It's in plain English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/the-constitution-isn-t-written-in-chinese-swahili-or-sanskrit-it-s-in/)

[Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/)

> [“A plain is what a mountain aims to be: the closest you can come to being in outer space while yet having your feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/a-plain-is-what-a-mountain-aims-to-be-the-closest-you-can-come-to/)

[Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/)

> [I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taeyang/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-very-plain-but-very-honest-person/)

[Taeyang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taeyang/)

> [It seemed to me pretty plain, that they had more of love than matrimony in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/it-seemed-to-me-pretty-plain-that-they-had-more-of-love-than/)

[Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/)

> [Plain dealing is a jewel, but they that wear it are out of fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/plain-dealing-is-a-jewel-but-they-that-wear-it-are-out-of-fashion/)

[Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/)

> [This mug of mine is as plain as a barn door. Why should people pay 35 cents to look at it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-tracy/this-mug-of-mine-is-as-plain-as-a-barn-door-why-should-people-pay-35/)

[Spencer Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-tracy/)

> [I found plain truth very interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-found-plain-truth-very-interesting/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [You will not see me dressed in plain, modest outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/you-will-not-see-me-dressed-in-plain-modest-outfits/)

[Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/)

> [“I sit down by the river. Its incessant flow has polished the rocks carried from the top of the mountain. The aqueous caress, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-dubois/i-sit-down-by-the-river-its-incessant-flow-has-polished-the-rocks/)

[Gabrielle Dubois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-dubois/)

> [I'm pretty plain Jane. Pretty vanilla.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-seager/i-m-pretty-plain-jane-pretty-vanilla/)

[Corey Seager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-seager/)

> [“What a situation!' cried Miss Squeers; '...What is the reason that men fall in love with me, whether I like it or not, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/what-a-situation-cried-miss-squeers-what-is-the-reason-that-men-fall/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

## More by Alistair Begg

> [Love reacts with goodness towards those who ill-treat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/love-reacts-with-goodness-towards-those-who-ill-treat-it/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [Father, write Your Word in our heart; make us men and women who understand Your truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/father-write-your-word-in-our-heart-make-us-men-and-women-who/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [ Ladies, \[motherhood\] is a full-time job. Do not kid yourself that you can be a dental receptionist and a mother; that you can be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/ladies-motherhood-is-a-full-time-job-do-not-kid-yourself-that-you-can/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [If we are to say no to covetousness, we must learn to say yes to contentment. This involves learning to be content with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/if-we-are-to-say-no-to-covetousness-we-must-learn-to-say-yes-to/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [I do not come to God so that Jesus can give me what I want. But I must come to God so that Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/i-do-not-come-to-god-so-that-jesus-can-give-me-what-i-want-but-i-must/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [The Bible is one book, written by one Author, with one subject: Jesus Christ and the salvation God...provides through Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-bible-is-one-book-written-by-one-author-with-one-subject-jesus/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It happens quietly. It happens inevitably. Don’t underestimate God’s power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-kingdom-of-god-is-like-a-mustard-seed-it-happens-quietly-it/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [When we turn luxuries into necessities, we jeopardize our ability for contentedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/when-we-turn-luxuries-into-necessities-we-jeopardize-our-ability-for/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [The death of Jesus is the pivotal event of human history and everything needs to be understood in light of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-death-of-jesus-is-the-pivotal-event-of-human-history-and/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [The story line of the Bible is the story line of God taking the initiative in seeking out a people who are His very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-story-line-of-the-bible-is-the-story-line-of-god-taking-the/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [I only need a mirror to see a sinner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/i-only-need-a-mirror-to-see-a-sinner/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [Our words and our works are evidence that our profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/our-words-and-our-works-are-evidence-that-our-profession-of-faith-in/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [Would anyone choose Hell over Heaven? YES! Why? Pride. They don't want to go in the only way you can go in, on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/would-anyone-choose-hell-over-heaven-yes-why-pride-they-don-t-want-to/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [The ultimate fulfillment of God's mercy in Jesus is not something that is supplied in time to correct a default in the system, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-ultimate-fulfillment-of-god-s-mercy-in-jesus-is-not-something/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

> [I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through Jesus Christ I'm more loved and accepted than I ever dared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/i-am-weaker-and-more-sinful-than-i-ever-before-believed-but-through/)

[Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

[Explore all 146 Alistair Begg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/)

## More Plain quotes

> [“What a situation!' cried Miss Squeers; '...What is the reason that men fall in love with me, whether I like it or not, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/what-a-situation-cried-miss-squeers-what-is-the-reason-that-men-fall/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [I'm pretty plain Jane. Pretty vanilla.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-seager/i-m-pretty-plain-jane-pretty-vanilla/)

[Corey Seager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-seager/)

> [“I sit down by the river. Its incessant flow has polished the rocks carried from the top of the mountain. The aqueous caress, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-dubois/i-sit-down-by-the-river-its-incessant-flow-has-polished-the-rocks/)

[Gabrielle Dubois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-dubois/)

> [You will not see me dressed in plain, modest outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/you-will-not-see-me-dressed-in-plain-modest-outfits/)

[Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/)

> [I found plain truth very interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-found-plain-truth-very-interesting/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [This mug of mine is as plain as a barn door. Why should people pay 35 cents to look at it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-tracy/this-mug-of-mine-is-as-plain-as-a-barn-door-why-should-people-pay-35/)

[Spencer Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-tracy/)

> [Plain dealing is a jewel, but they that wear it are out of fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/plain-dealing-is-a-jewel-but-they-that-wear-it-are-out-of-fashion/)

[Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/)

> [It seemed to me pretty plain, that they had more of love than matrimony in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/it-seemed-to-me-pretty-plain-that-they-had-more-of-love-than/)

[Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/)

> [I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taeyang/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-very-plain-but-very-honest-person/)

[Taeyang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taeyang/)

> [“A plain is what a mountain aims to be: the closest you can come to being in outer space while yet having your feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/a-plain-is-what-a-mountain-aims-to-be-the-closest-you-can-come-to/)

[Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/)

> [The Constitution isn't written in Chinese, Swahili or Sanskrit. It's in plain English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/the-constitution-isn-t-written-in-chinese-swahili-or-sanskrit-it-s-in/)

[Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/)

> [Levis are my go-to. Plain crew necks and jeans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gourley/levis-are-my-go-to-plain-crew-necks-and-jeans/)

[John Gourley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gourley/)

> [There are so many different kinds of motivation for investing or giving or parting with your money in whatever other way, and plain old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-jackley/there-are-so-many-different-kinds-of-motivation-for-investing-or/)

[Jessica Jackley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-jackley/)

> [It is true, there was no public-school system, and the reason for it was very plain. The wealth of the upper classes enabled them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sergeant-wise/it-is-true-there-was-no-public-school-system-and-the-reason-for-it/)

[John Sergeant Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sergeant-wise/)

> [The Amish like to live a very plain lifestyle, the way they think God intended. It sort of brings you back to, like, 'Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verne-troyer/the-amish-like-to-live-a-very-plain-lifestyle-the-way-they-think-god/)

[Verne Troyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verne-troyer/)

Browse all 191 Plain quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alistair Begg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and-the-plain-things-are-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Plain"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and-the-plain-things-are-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5f/alistair-begg-2884_plain_the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and_3065253.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” — Alistair Begg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alistair Begg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The main things are the plain...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and-the-plain-things-are-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-main-things-are-the-plain-things-and-the-plain-things-are-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
