--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Utility is when you have one telephone…" description: "\"Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.\" — Doug Larson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png" --- # Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you… ![“Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.” quote by Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png) > “Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.” [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He contrasts increasing luxury with the ultimate peace of having nothing, highlighting paradoxes of desire. **In simple terms:** More possessions don’t equal happiness. Key Takeaway Value simplicity over excess. Themes materialism contentment paradox values Mood thoughtful philosophical Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - financial planning - lifestyle design - environmental sustainability - mental health Key Concepts Consumerism Minimalism Philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does “paradise” mean to you without material goods? - How can you practice minimalism daily? A Different Perspective May ignore that some people find meaning in multiple possessions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Paradise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradise/) ## Related quotes > [Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, and paradise is when you have none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [ “Mr. Watson — Come here — I want to see you. \[ First intelligible words spoken over the telephone \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-graham-bell/mr-watson-come-here-i-want-to-see-you-first-intelligible-words-spoken/) [Alexander Graham Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-graham-bell/) > [Success is when your name is in everything but the telephone directory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/success-is-when-your-name-is-in-everything-but-the-telephone-directory/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Telephone companies do not shut off your phone line based on what political views you express during calls. The same logic should apply today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hagerty/telephone-companies-do-not-shut-off-your-phone-line-based-on-what/) [Bill Hagerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hagerty/) > [“JUST WHAT IS GOOGLE? In 1902, the New York Telephone Company opened the world’s first school for “telephone girls.” It was an exclusive institution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wu/just-what-is-google-in-1902-the-new-york-telephone-company-opened-the/) [Tim Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wu/) > [You can't pick up the telephone and say, 'Connect me with someone else who has a kid with leukemia.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/you-can-t-pick-up-the-telephone-and-say-connect-me-with-someone-else/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [It could be a little bit sad as a young girl to sit there and wait in front of the telephone that would never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-karina/it-could-be-a-little-bit-sad-as-a-young-girl-to-sit-there-and-wait-in/) [Anna Karina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-karina/) > [The telephone is the most important single technological resource of later life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-comfort/the-telephone-is-the-most-important-single-technological-resource-of/) [Alex Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-comfort/) > [The KKK members that I was dealing with never saw me because my interaction with them occurred over the phone. They were convinced that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-stallworth/the-kkk-members-that-i-was-dealing-with-never-saw-me-because-my/) [Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-stallworth/) > [Older Americans are perfect telemarketing customers, analysts say, because they are often at home, rely on delivery services, and are lonely for the companionship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/older-americans-are-perfect-telemarketing-customers-analysts-say/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“The old gentleman refuses to have the telephone which he regards as a device of the devil, and on a par with radio, television,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/the-old-gentleman-refuses-to-have-the-telephone-which-he-regards-as-a/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [The telephone is virtual reality in that you can meet with someone as if you are together, at least for the auditory sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/the-telephone-is-virtual-reality-in-that-you-can-meet-with-someone-as/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [I will take questions from the guys, but from the girls I want telephone numbers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silvio-berlusconi/i-will-take-questions-from-the-guys-but-from-the-girls-i-want/) [Silvio Berlusconi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silvio-berlusconi/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Doug Larson > [A true friend is the one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/a-true-friend-is-the-one-who-overlooks-your-failures-and-tolerates/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/sometimes-opportunity-knocks-but-most-of-the-time-it-sneaks-up-and/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/wisdom-is-the-quality-that-keeps-you-from-getting-into-situations/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Heredity is a splendid phenomenon that relieves us of responsibility for our shortcomings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/heredity-is-a-splendid-phenomenon-that-relieves-us-of-responsibility/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/autumn-is-a-season-followed-immediately-by-looking-forward-to-spring/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [An alibi is a reason with a bad reputation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/an-alibi-is-a-reason-with-a-bad-reputation/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Law of Airlines: The shorter the time between flights, the greater the distance between gates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/law-of-airlines-the-shorter-the-time-between-flights-the-greater-the/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Democracy is a system that gives people a chance to elect rascals of their own choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/democracy-is-a-system-that-gives-people-a-chance-to-elect-rascals-of/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, and paradise is when you have none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/instead-of-giving-a-politician-the-keys-to-the-city-it-might-be/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Accomplishing the impossible means only the boss will add it to your regular duties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/accomplishing-the-impossible-means-only-the-boss-will-add-it-to-your/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/if-the-english-language-made-any-sense-lackadaisical-would-have/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/a-weed-is-a-plant-that-has-mastered-every-survival-skill-except-for/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/wisdom-is-the-reward-you-get-for-a-lifetime-of-listening-when-you-d/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) > [Nostalgia: A device that removes the ruts and potholes from memory lane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/nostalgia-a-device-that-removes-the-ruts-and-potholes-from-memory-lane/) [Doug Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) [Explore all 75 Doug Larson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/) ## More Luxury quotes > [Let us have the luxury of silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/let-us-have-the-luxury-of-silence/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [I had an idea for a technologically advanced luxury watch. I got involved in digital art and neon painting and put on shows of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-moroder/i-had-an-idea-for-a-technologically-advanced-luxury-watch-i-got/) [Giorgio Moroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-moroder/) > [It's tragic what America has become because there is a great segment of society that now resents luxury and success and achievement by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-leach/it-s-tragic-what-america-has-become-because-there-is-a-great-segment/) [Robin Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-leach/) > [“I've always been after the trappings of great luxury. But all I've got hold of are the trappings of great poverty. I've got hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cook/i-ve-always-been-after-the-trappings-of-great-luxury-but-all-i-ve-got/) [Peter Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cook/) > [For me, the melancholy of the late XXth Century is walking late at night by the Mont Blanc pen store and seeing these things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/for-me-the-melancholy-of-the-late-xxth-century-is-walking-late-at/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [Is the minor convenience of allowing the present generation the luxury of doubling its energy consumption every 10 years worth the major hazard of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-brower/is-the-minor-convenience-of-allowing-the-present-generation-the/) [David R. Brower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-brower/) > [Our obsession with material things and lack of self-worth is evident in our need for an abundance of momentary luxuries and must-have amenities that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/our-obsession-with-material-things-and-lack-of-self-worth-is-evident/) T.I > [From my experience, I don't have the luxury to trust anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sirivi/from-my-experience-i-don-t-have-the-luxury-to-trust-anyone/) Sirivi > [Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of the bonus culture, which drives risk-taking that is rational for individuals but damaging to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-schekman/just-as-wall-street-needs-to-break-the-hold-of-the-bonus-culture/) [Randy Schekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-schekman/) > [It is, of course, a luxury to create art and, on top of this, to insist on expressing one's own artistic opinion. Nothing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-and-on-top-of-this-to-insist/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) > [“what a luxury to be alone once more,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/what-a-luxury-to-be-alone-once-more/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“There is an inverse relationship between the time spent purchasing luxury items such as cars and clothes and the time spent planning one’s financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-stanley/there-is-an-inverse-relationship-between-the-time-spent-purchasing/) [Thomas J. Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-stanley/) > [“Looking out the rain-fogged window at the gray November day, Mary felt almost grateful for the snug warmth of her well-heated chamber. Escape, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-george/looking-out-the-rain-fogged-window-at-the-gray-november-day-mary-felt/) [Margaret George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-george/) > [“In general, poor is polite and rich is rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/in-general-poor-is-polite-and-rich-is-rude/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [In a world where lifelong employment in the same job is a thing of the past, creativity is not a luxury. It is essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/in-a-world-where-lifelong-employment-in-the-same-job-is-a-thing-of/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) [Browse all 1,926 Luxury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Doug Larson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Luxury" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/doug-larson-9077_luxury_utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-l_2492200.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and…” — Doug Larson", "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": "Doug Larson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-larson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Utility is when you have one...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-larson/utility-is-when-you-have-one-telephone-luxury-is-when-you-have-two-2/#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 } } ] } ```