--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need examples of people who, leaving…" description: "\"We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg" --- # We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide… ![“We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, and have resolved to seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity; making the first of possessions…” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg) > “We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, and have resolved to seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity; making the first of possessions, self-possession; and honouring themselves in the harmless pride and calm pursuits of peace.” [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True happiness comes from simple pleasures, self‑possession, and inner peace rather than material wealth. **In simple terms:** Seek simple joy and inner peace over riches. Key Takeaway Prioritize inner fulfillment over wealth. Themes philosophy wealth happiness ethics self‑knowledge Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal budgeting - mindfulness practice - community service Key Concepts stoicism minimalism inner fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate inner peace today? - What simple pleasure brings you joy? A Different Perspective Simple pleasures may be hard to achieve in consumerist societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Decide Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decide-happy-535703/) [Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeper/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Felicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felicity/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven Decide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-decide-1936130/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Leaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaving/) [Leaving Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaving-heaven-1936129/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Possessions Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessions-self-1936131/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Seek Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seek-greater-885933/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seek-not-greater-wealth-but-simpler-pleasure-not-higher-fortune-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the very best of all earthly possessions is self-possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-d-prentice/one-of-the-very-best-of-all-earthly-possessions-is-self-possession/) [George D. Prentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-d-prentice/) > [Oh, if you only knew what joy, what sweetness awaits a righteous soul in Heaven! You would decide in this mortal life to bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seraphim-of-sarov/oh-if-you-only-knew-what-joy-what-sweetness-awaits-a-righteous-soul/) [Seraphim of Sarov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seraphim-of-sarov/) > [Seek greater knowledge and you shall possess greater truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya/seek-greater-knowledge-and-you-shall-possess-greater-truth/) [Natalya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya/) > [It is the nature of all living things to find some being greater than themselves and place their trust in that being, following it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aizen-sosuke/it-is-the-nature-of-all-living-things-to-find-some-being-greater-than/) [Aizen Sosuke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aizen-sosuke/) > [Knowledge is a great gift, and the thirst to seek it even greater. Use what you know...Head and heart...You are not made to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/knowledge-is-a-great-gift-and-the-thirst-to-seek-it-even-greater-use/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [The repose necessary to all beauty is repose, not of inanition, nor of luxury, nor of irresolution, but the repose of magnificent energy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-repose-necessary-to-all-beauty-is-repose-not-of-inanition-nor-of/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“Nobody has the power to make you unhappy. Only you decide how happy you want to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alinka-rutkowska/nobody-has-the-power-to-make-you-unhappy-only-you-decide-how-happy/) [Alinka Rutkowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alinka-rutkowska/) > [“Every person should decide for himself how happy, or unhappy, our society might be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/every-person-should-decide-for-himself-how-happy-or-unhappy-our/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Decide to be HAPPY when you start your day.React with JOY whatever comes your way.You may be hurt by what people say ,but dont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/decide-to-be-happy-when-you-start-your-day-react-with-joy-whatever-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A positive attitude eventually begets positive experiences. Choose to be happy. Decide you are well or happy instead of unwell or unhappy, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-papp/a-positive-attitude-eventually-begets-positive-experiences-choose-to/) [James K. Papp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-papp/) > [Happiness is a decision, not an experience. You can decide to be happy without what you thought you needed in order to be happy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/happiness-is-a-decision-not-an-experience-you-can-decide-to-be-happy/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [“Decide to be HAPPY when you start your day.React with JOY whatever comes your way.You may be hurt by what people say ,but don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/decide-to-be-happy-when-you-start-your-day-react-with-joy-whatever/) [RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [I'm trying to decide whether to be happy or sad. We have to be better than this or we will struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-richt/i-m-trying-to-decide-whether-to-be-happy-or-sad-we-have-to-be-better/) [Mark Richt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-richt/) > [“Decide to be happy Render others happy Proclaim your joy Love passionately your miraculous life Do not listen to promises Do not wait for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muller/decide-to-be-happy-render-others-happy-proclaim-your-joy-love/) [Robert Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muller/) ## More by John Ruskin > [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) [Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## More Calm quotes > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“After the storm, reigns the calm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simdi-onuora/after-the-storm-reigns-the-calm/) [Simdi Onuora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simdi-onuora/) > [So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed, And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-procter/so-mightiest-powers-buy-deepest-calms-are-fed-and-sleep-how-oft-in/) [Bryan Procter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-procter/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-practice-aikido-fully-you-must-calm-the-spirit-and-go-back-to-the/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages, only then will Israel be calm for the next 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-ari/the-goal-of-the-operation-is-to-send-gaza-back-to-the-middle-ages/) [Michael Ben-Ari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-ari/) > [No physiologist who calmly considers the question in connection with the general truths of his science, can long resist the conviction that different parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/no-physiologist-who-calmly-considers-the-question-in-connection-with/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [When I was a child I truly loved: Unthinking love as calm and deep As the North Sea. 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With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/) [Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/) [Browse all 3,074 Calm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, and have resolved to seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity; making the first of possessions, self-possession; and honouring themselves in the harmless pride and calm pursuits of peace.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Ruskin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-heaven-to-decide-whether-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calm" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-heaven-to-decide-whether-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for…” — John Ruskin", "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": "John Ruskin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We need examples of people who,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-heaven-to-decide-whether-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-heaven-to-decide-whether-they/#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 } } ] } ```