---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I live in the 17th century. I don't have…"
description: "\"I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I don't look at the internet. I use a cellphone, and that's about my only connection to the modern..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png"
---

#  I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I…

![“I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I don't look at the internet. I use a cellphone, and that's about my only connection to the modern world.” quote by Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png)

> “I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I don't look at the internet. I use a cellphone, and that's about my only connection to the modern world.”

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

## About This Quote

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

Living in a pre‑digital era with limited modern tech, choosing simplicity over connectivity.

**In simple terms:** Living simply with minimal tech.

Key Takeaway

Embrace intentional simplicity.

Themes

simplicity technology choice

Mood

reflective calm

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- daily life
- social interaction
- travel
- education

Key Concepts

minimalism digital detox

Questions to Reflect On

- How does limited tech affect your life?
- What benefits do you find in simplicity?

A Different Perspective

Limited access may hinder opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Modern world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [I do not own a cellphone; I do not use a cellphone. I do not have a phone. No. Phone. Not even an old-fashioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-hilton/i-do-not-own-a-cellphone-i-do-not-use-a-cellphone-i-do-not-have-a/)

[Steve Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-hilton/)

> [I need you to know How I feel I'll use my cellphone Because you're a big deal An important part Of my life Yielding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemis-khan/i-need-you-to-know-how-i-feel-i-ll-use-my-cellphone-because-you-re-a/)

[Kemis Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemis-khan/)

> [Technologically, I live in the 17th century; I don't have a computer, I don't have any of that stuff. I don't look at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have-a-computer-i/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [“Making your own Netiquette is advanced internet use, but it's not that hard. It's all good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chiles/making-your-own-netiquette-is-advanced-internet-use-but-it-s-not-that/)

[David Chiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chiles/)

> [Not as much as I used to, but I use the Internet for everything. I use it for information. Like if I'm planning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-bell/not-as-much-as-i-used-to-but-i-use-the-internet-for-everything-i-use/)

[Catherine Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-bell/)

> [On the other hand, a lot of the internet - I don't know the percentage, but I am sure a great mass of internet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/on-the-other-hand-a-lot-of-the-internet-i-don-t-know-the-percentage/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I live in the Dark Ages, the 17th century. Actually, I would have loved to be in Paris in the early 20th century when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-live-in-the-dark-ages-the-17th-century-actually-i-would-have-loved/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [You can just decide to become more awesome, whichever way you want, and then look it up on the internet to figure out how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-just-decide-to-become-more-awesome-whichever-way-you-want-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I don't look on the Internet; it's a world of pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-irons/i-don-t-look-on-the-internet-it-s-a-world-of-pain/)

[Max Irons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-irons/)

> [My rule is never to look at anything on the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-clarke/my-rule-is-never-to-look-at-anything-on-the-internet/)

[Emilia Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-clarke/)

> [I never look at the internet because then you just have nothing else to do but just look. Most generally, and even myself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/i-never-look-at-the-internet-because-then-you-just-have-nothing-else/)

[Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/)

> [Throw the computer away and don't look on the internet. That's the best thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-craig/throw-the-computer-away-and-don-t-look-on-the-internet-that-s-the/)

[Daniel Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-craig/)

> [ I said to Ramona \[my daughter\] once ... you should never look yourself up on the Internet. It's something I've learned. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-gyllenhaal/i-said-to-ramona-my-daughter-once-you-should-never-look-yourself-up/)

[Maggie Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-gyllenhaal/)

> [I don't want to be critiqued about the way that I look on the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia/i-don-t-want-to-be-critiqued-about-the-way-that-i-look-on-the-internet/)

[Sia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia/)

## More by Iris Apfel

> [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I don't spend my life getting dressed! I have to put clothes on during the day; I don't get dressed up at all when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-don-t-spend-my-life-getting-dressed-i-have-to-put-clothes-on-during/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I think some people like me because I'm different. I don't think like everybody else. People are so tied up in the worst parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-some-people-like-me-because-i-m-different-i-don-t-think-like/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [Throughout history, clothes represented who you were; they are a great vehicle for explaining who you are. During the Ching dynasty, for example, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/throughout-history-clothes-represented-who-you-were-they-are-a-great/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [If you don't have any individuality and you're happy just being one of the girls (or boys) be my guest. I'm not the fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/if-you-don-t-have-any-individuality-and-you-re-happy-just-being-one/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I think jewelry can change an outfit more than anything else. Transformation, punch, individuality: One or all of the above are why you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-jewelry-can-change-an-outfit-more-than-anything-else/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [When you go to a nice restaurant, you want to be relaxed and have a drink and everything, you want to look at people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/when-you-go-to-a-nice-restaurant-you-want-to-be-relaxed-and-have-a/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I'm happy. I give thanks every morning that I can get up, that I still have my husband with me. I'm extremely grateful. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-m-happy-i-give-thanks-every-morning-that-i-can-get-up-that-i-still/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [It's not easy to know who you are and it's very painful and takes a lot of time and that is why a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/it-s-not-easy-to-know-who-you-are-and-it-s-very-painful-and-takes-a/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [If you put something together and it doesn't look so good, the fashion police are not going to come and take you away. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/if-you-put-something-together-and-it-doesn-t-look-so-good-the-fashion/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [The world is always full of promise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/the-world-is-always-full-of-promise/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [First you have to know who you are. That is the most important thing, as if you don't know who you are you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/first-you-have-to-know-who-you-are-that-is-the-most-important-thing/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [The fun of getting dressed is it's a creative experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/the-fun-of-getting-dressed-is-it-s-a-creative-experience/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [In America, it has been proven that the bulk of spending money is in the hands of women between 60 and 80, so it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/in-america-it-has-been-proven-that-the-bulk-of-spending-money-is-in/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [I don't believe in rules. It's different for everybody. Everyone has to make their own decision and find out what's comfortable for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-don-t-believe-in-rules-it-s-different-for-everybody-everyone-has-to/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

[Explore all 171 Iris Apfel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

## More 17th century quotes

> [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [With Brexit, and I think the extraordinary strain it's put on our constitution and our representative democracy, I do sometimes feel like I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/with-brexit-and-i-think-the-extraordinary-strain-it-s-put-on-our/)

[Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/)

> [Perhaps people need to understand some history here. Rene Descartes, in the late 16th, early 17th century, postulated that body, mind, physicality and spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/perhaps-people-need-to-understand-some-history-here-rene-descartes-in/)

[Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/)

> [“It combined corrupt simplicity with delicate ferocity, a curious variety of civilization; a tiger with a simper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/it-combined-corrupt-simplicity-with-delicate-ferocity-a-curious/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [I'm from Holland and the history of "Admiral" is something you would read about when you're at school. Nobody knows about these stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roel-reine/i-m-from-holland-and-the-history-of-admiral-is-something-you-would/)

Roel Reine

> [Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/yes-i-would-agree-that-america-just-like-spain-was-in-the-17th/)

[Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/)

> [I would love to do a period piece - in the 18th or 17th century. To me, it would be such an incredible challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-piece-in-the-18th-or-17th-century-to-me/)

[Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/)

> [I'd share a pic if the digital camera battery wasn't as flat as 17th century Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-haynes/i-d-share-a-pic-if-the-digital-camera-battery-wasn-t-as-flat-as-17th/)

[Simon Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-haynes/)

> [You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/you-cannot-gauge-the-intelligence-of-an-american-by-talking-with-him/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/)

[Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/)

> [Each of us have things and thoughts and descriptions of an amazing universe in our possession that kings in the 17th Century would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kary-mullis/each-of-us-have-things-and-thoughts-and-descriptions-of-an-amazing/)

[Kary Mullis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kary-mullis/)

> [Order can arise from chaos without anyone or anything directing the process when unstable combinations of atoms perish and others persist. In the 17th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-wilson/order-can-arise-from-chaos-without-anyone-or-anything-directing-the/)

[Catherine Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-wilson/)

> [The data, however, do indicate that Christians who see Jews through a 17th-century lens, believing that most are thoroughly religious, are thoroughly wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/the-data-however-do-indicate-that-christians-who-see-jews-through-a/)

[Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/)

> [The technologies for the alternative energy sources exists today. The economics are compelling. The public health is compelling. Why would we maintain a focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/the-technologies-for-the-alternative-energy-sources-exists-today-the/)

[Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/)

> [Religion is a practical discipline and in the 17th century in the West, we turned it onto a head trip. But it's like dancing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/religion-is-a-practical-discipline-and-in-the-17th-century-in-the/)

[Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/)

Browse all 43 17th century quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I don't look at the internet. I use a cellphone, and that's about my only connection to the modern world.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Iris Apfel"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have-a-computer-i-don-t-look-at/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "17th century"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have-a-computer-i-don-t-look-at/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/iris-apfel-2319_17th-century_i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have_2821911.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I live in the 17th century. I don't have a computer. I don't look at the internet. I use a cellphone, and…” — Iris Apfel",
                "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": "Iris Apfel",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I live in the 17th century....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have-a-computer-i-don-t-look-at/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-don-t-have-a-computer-i-don-t-look-at/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
