--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO…" description: "\"“ SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things - in pos..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/joshua-becker-21583_freedom_simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-t_2313011.jpg" --- # SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern… ![“SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things - in possessing as much as possible. They believe that “more is better” and that happiness can be purchased at a department store.” quote by Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/joshua-becker-21583_freedom_simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-t_2313011.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/joshua-becker-21583_freedom_simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-t_2313011.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/joshua-becker-21583_freedom_simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-t_2313011.jpg) > ““  SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things - in possessing as much as possible. They believe that “more is better” and that happiness can be purchased at a department store.”” [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Simplicity frees us from the endless desire to acquire, revealing that true freedom lies in having less. **In simple terms:** Less is more freedom. Key Takeaway Embrace minimalism. Themes minimalism freedom consumerism values Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decluttering - budgeting - mindful consumption - lifestyle design Key Concepts simplicity materialism well‑being Questions to Reflect On - What would you gain by owning less? - How does excess affect your peace? A Different Perspective It can be hard to let go of cherished possessions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Good life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-life/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Modern culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-culture/) [Simplicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity/) ## Related quotes > [The simple person lives the way he breathes, with no more effort or glory, with no more affectation and without shame Simplicity is freedom,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andr-comte-sponville/the-simple-person-lives-the-way-he-breathes-with-no-more-effort-or/) [Andre Comte-Sponville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andr-comte-sponville/) > [In simplicity, there is freedom - freedom to do less and enjoy more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kenison/in-simplicity-there-is-freedom-freedom-to-do-less-and-enjoy-more/) [Katrina Kenison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kenison/) > [I love the simplicity and freedom of running. A pair of shoes, and you are all set to explore new trails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-boston/i-love-the-simplicity-and-freedom-of-running-a-pair-of-shoes-and-you/) [Rachel Boston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-boston/) > [Simplicity is freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/simplicity-is-freedom/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“Simplicity is freedom. Duplicity is bondage. Simplicity brings joy and balance. Duplicity brings anxiety and fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/simplicity-is-freedom-duplicity-is-bondage-simplicity-brings-joy-and/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [I watch a lot of bad TV. 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Nelson ## More by Joshua Becker > [“We have too quickly bought into the lie that we’ll be happier with more—and as a result, too often miss the joy that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/we-have-too-quickly-bought-into-the-lie-that-we-ll-be-happier-with/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Clutter is a form of visual distraction, and everything in our vision pulls at our attention at least a little. The less clutter, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/clutter-is-a-form-of-visual-distraction-and-everything-in-our-vision/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Removing possessions begins to turn back our desire for more as we find freedom, happiness, and abundance in owning less. And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/removing-possessions-begins-to-turn-back-our-desire-for-more-as-we/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.” — Tom Robbins”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/any-half-awake-materialist-well-knows-that-which-you-hold-holds-you/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/minimalism-is-the-intentional-promotion-of-the-things-we-most-value/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Overscheduled children lose the space to simply be with themselves and learn the art of being alone. In our noisy, busy world, the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/overscheduled-children-lose-the-space-to-simply-be-with-themselves/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Often it is those who live quietly, modestly, and contentedly with a simple life who are the happiest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/often-it-is-those-who-live-quietly-modestly-and-contentedly-with-a/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Whatever your motivation for downsizing, you're going to love the benefits that come with this change. Let me highlight a few: 1. More money...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/whatever-your-motivation-for-downsizing-you-re-going-to-love-the/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“There is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in organizing more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/there-is-more-joy-to-be-found-in-owning-less-than-can-ever-be-found/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Who knows what advantages you might find in a smaller home, even beyond what you were initially hoping for, after you move in? Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/who-knows-what-advantages-you-might-find-in-a-smaller-home-even/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“...the Diderot effect describes the tendency for one purchase to lead to others... First a fishing pole, then tackle boxes full of fishing gear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/the-diderot-effect-describes-the-tendency-for-one-purchase-to-lead-to/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Purposefully owning less begins to take us out of the unwinnable game of comparison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/purposefully-owning-less-begins-to-take-us-out-of-the-unwinnable-game/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Own less stuff. Enjoy more freedom. It really is that simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/own-less-stuff-enjoy-more-freedom-it-really-is-that-simple/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Your Computer Screen Computers, even with all their time-saving devices, can actually become one of the most distracting things in our life. In order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/your-computer-screen-computers-even-with-all-their-time-saving/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) [Explore all 29 Joshua Becker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. 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