--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Poverty is easy to bear if it is only…" description: "\"Poverty is easy to bear if it is only temporary, easier still if it is an entirely voluntary burden.\" — D.E. Stevenson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/d-e-stevenson-9903_bears_poverty-is-easy-to-bear-if-it-is-only-te_2840512.png" --- # Poverty is easy to bear if it is only temporary, easier… ![“Poverty is easy to bear if it is only temporary, easier still if it is an entirely voluntary burden.” quote by D.E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/d-e-stevenson-9903_bears_poverty-is-easy-to-bear-if-it-is-only-te_2840512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/d-e-stevenson-9903_bears_poverty-is-easy-to-bear-if-it-is-only-te_2840512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/d-e-stevenson-9903_bears_poverty-is-easy-to-bear-if-it-is-only-te_2840512.png) > “Poverty is easy to bear if it is only temporary, easier still if it is an entirely voluntary burden.” [D.E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-e-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Temporary poverty is tolerable, especially when chosen, highlighting the psychological burden of involuntary hardship. **In simple terms:** Chosen hardship feels less painful. Key Takeaway Recognize when suffering is self‑imposed. Themes poverty choice psychology Mood thoughtful critical Type sociological philosophical When to use this quote - personal finance decisions - philanthropy - social policy - self‑help initiatives Key Concepts voluntary sacrifice mental resilience social critique Questions to Reflect On - Why do people accept self‑imposed hardship? - Can choice truly lessen suffering? A Different Perspective Voluntary poverty may ignore systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) ## Related quotes > [Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/participation-in-the-dance-was-entirely-voluntary-a-mental-vow-to/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [“Anyone can take a picture of poverty; it’s easy to focus on the dirt and hurt of the poor. It’s much harder—and much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchemin/anyone-can-take-a-picture-of-poverty-it-s-easy-to-focus-on-the-dirt/) [David duChemin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchemin/) > [I'm very familiar with poverty. I find it easy to be with, whether I'm in America or in Africa or in Asia. Wherever I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-m-very-familiar-with-poverty-i-find-it-easy-to-be-with-whether-i-m/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/ignorance-when-it-is-voluntary-is-criminal/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/none-can-be-an-impartial-or-wise-observer-of-human-life-but-from-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There is reason to believe that voluntary activity, more than highly developed intellect, distinguishes humans from the animals which stand closest to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-s-vygotsky/there-is-reason-to-believe-that-voluntary-activity-more-than-highly/) [Lev S. 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