--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before buying anything, it is well to ask…" description: "\"Before buying anything, it is well to ask if one could do without it.\" — John Lubbock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/john-lubbock-8094_asks_before-buying-anything-it-is-well-to-ask_2411804.png" --- # Before buying anything, it is well to ask if one could do… ![“Before buying anything, it is well to ask if one could do without it.” quote by John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/john-lubbock-8094_asks_before-buying-anything-it-is-well-to-ask_2411804.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/john-lubbock-8094_asks_before-buying-anything-it-is-well-to-ask_2411804.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/john-lubbock-8094_asks_before-buying-anything-it-is-well-to-ask_2411804.png) > “Before buying anything, it is well to ask if one could do without it.” [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consider whether an item is essential before purchasing to avoid unnecessary spending. **In simple terms:** Ask if you really need it. Key Takeaway Buy only what you truly need. Themes frugality mindfulness consumerism Mood reflective practical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - budgeting - shopping trips - gift buying - decluttering Key Concepts necessity impulse control Questions to Reflect On - Do you often buy things you later regret? - How can you differentiate wants from needs? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine needs if overly strict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Buying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying/) [Buying Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying-ask-6074488/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restraint/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [“Some problems were generational; you just had to wait for the relevant elders to die off and be replaced with more progressive types.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-m-banks/some-problems-were-generational-you-just-had-to-wait-for-the-relevant/) [Iain M. 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This mistaken view may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/people-who-do-not-know-the-bible-well-have-been-gulled-into-thinking/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## More by John Lubbock > [Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-of-the-greatest-men-have-owed-their-success-to-industry-rather/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Savages have often been likened to children, and the comparison is not only correct but also highly instructive. Many naturalists consider that the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/savages-have-often-been-likened-to-children-and-the-comparison-is-not/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [There can be no merit in believing something which you can neither explain nor understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/there-can-be-no-merit-in-believing-something-which-you-can-neither/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many savage nations worship trees, and I really think my first feeling would be one of delight and interest rather than of surprise, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-savage-nations-worship-trees-and-i-really-think-my-first-feeling/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many a blessing has been recognized too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-a-blessing-has-been-recognized-too-late/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Art trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. 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