--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In ancient times, we were users; we used…" description: "\"In ancient times, we were users; we used the commodities in accordance to our needs. Using is not sufficient for the modern market; it needs consumers...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/lobsang-tenzin-21521_humanity_in-ancient-times-we-were-users-we-used-t_1372573.jpg" --- # In ancient times, we were users; we used the commodities… ![“In ancient times, we were users; we used the commodities in accordance to our needs. Using is not sufficient for the modern market; it needs consumers. Consuming means consuming things much more than the natural need of humanity or of any living being.” quote by Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/lobsang-tenzin-21521_humanity_in-ancient-times-we-were-users-we-used-t_1372573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/lobsang-tenzin-21521_humanity_in-ancient-times-we-were-users-we-used-t_1372573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0b/lobsang-tenzin-21521_humanity_in-ancient-times-we-were-users-we-used-t_1372573.jpg) > “In ancient times, we were users; we used the commodities in accordance to our needs. Using is not sufficient for the modern market; it needs consumers. Consuming means consuming things much more than the natural need of humanity or of any living being.” [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts early use‑based economies with modern consumerism, noting that today’s market demands consumption beyond basic needs, often driven by desire rather than necessity. **In simple terms:** Early societies used what they needed; modern markets push excess consumption. Key Takeaway Recognize and curb unnecessary consumption. Themes economics consumerism environment ethics human nature Mood concerned reflective Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - personal budgeting - policy making - education campaigns - product design - advertising strategy Key Concepts sustainability need vs desire market dynamics psychology of consumption Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance genuine needs with societal pressures? - What policies could limit over‑consumption without stifling innovation? A Different Perspective It overlooks cultural and technological factors that can make consumption beneficial or necessary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consumers Consuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers-consuming-4731119/) [Consuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consuming/) [Consuming Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consuming-means-4731118/) [Consuming Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consuming-things-969670/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living/) [Market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/market/) [Means Consuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-consuming-3349204/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [Money flows into the US, and inflates US assets, and allows the US to have a monstrous trade deficit. That means we are consuming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/money-flows-into-the-us-and-inflates-us-assets-and-allows-the-us-to/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [We are so conformist; nobody is thinking. We are all sucking up stuff; we have been trained to be consumers, and we are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/we-are-so-conformist-nobody-is-thinking-we-are-all-sucking-up-stuff/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [I treat every album as a new beginning, so I'm asking myself, 'What is pop music now? What are people consuming?' and I take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/i-treat-every-album-as-a-new-beginning-so-i-m-asking-myself-what-is/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [One of the most time-consuming things is to have an enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/one-of-the-most-time-consuming-things-is-to-have-an-enemy/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [What people are consuming is what things represent. It's people defining themselves through what they wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-cole/what-people-are-consuming-is-what-things-represent-it-s-people/) [Kenneth Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-cole/) > [Shooting stuff on horseback is more complicated and time consuming than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-addy/shooting-stuff-on-horseback-is-more-complicated-and-time-consuming/) [Mark Addy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-addy/) > [ There are about 50 or 60 recommendations \[in "Win"\] for how to communicate, not just the words themselves. All of them had to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-luntz/there-are-about-50-or-60-recommendations-in-win-for-how-to/) [Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-luntz/) > [Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/development-of-character-consists-solely-in-moving-toward-self/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Love to throw yourself on the earth and kiss it. Kiss the earth and love it with an unceasing, consuming love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/love-to-throw-yourself-on-the-earth-and-kiss-it-kiss-the-earth-and/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [As I write, Johnny Rotten's first moments in "Anarchy in the U.K." - a rolling earthquake of a laugh, a buried shout, then hoary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/as-i-write-johnny-rotten-s-first-moments-in-anarchy-in-the-u-k-a/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) > [The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is a very effective way to raise awareness and consumption of two vital food groups that are sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dean-crapo/the-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-program-is-a-very-effective-way-to/) [Michael Dean Crapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dean-crapo/) > [If we were truly in the studio making a record, it would have been more time consuming, and certainly I would have been more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-dayne/if-we-were-truly-in-the-studio-making-a-record-it-would-have-been/) [Taylor Dayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-dayne/) > [I'm in production year round. I work long hours. I have a dog and a wife. There's not a lot of available time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-m-in-production-year-round-i-work-long-hours-i-have-a-dog-and-a/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [Royalty has always been an unconscious but all-consuming goal of the European immigrant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/royalty-has-always-been-an-unconscious-but-all-consuming-goal-of-the/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/) [Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/) ## More by Lobsang Tenzin > [I do not think any religion encourages intolerance. Intolerance is the biggest mental defilement, and every religion tries to remove this defilement. So we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/i-do-not-think-any-religion-encourages-intolerance-intolerance-is-the/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [In the Buddhist learning process, we say three stages. The first is hearing, the second is contemplation, and the third is meditation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/in-the-buddhist-learning-process-we-say-three-stages-the-first-is/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Today, education does not give you the wisdom and the understanding; it only indoctrinates you to believe something. So the mind knows very less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/today-education-does-not-give-you-the-wisdom-and-the-understanding-it/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Everyone needs an open mind and an accepting heart. With a combination of these two aspects, you will be able to communicate sensibly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/everyone-needs-an-open-mind-and-an-accepting-heart-with-a-combination/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Because all the thought processes are limited, they are conditioned, and the thought does not touch directly with the reality, the truth; thoughts only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/because-all-the-thought-processes-are-limited-they-are-conditioned/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [The line of demarcation between history and legend is too thin to observe while writing; the two overlap each other unconsciously and unknowingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/the-line-of-demarcation-between-history-and-legend-is-too-thin-to/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [To seek advice is easy, easy-approach job. To find the truth by yourself, that is a little difficult, and you have to work hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/to-seek-advice-is-easy-easy-approach-job-to-find-the-truth-by/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [For the exploitation of human greed, they have devised comparison and competition. Right from childhood on, we are indoctrinated to compare and compete, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/for-the-exploitation-of-human-greed-they-have-devised-comparison-and/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Non-violence is the essence of the entire Buddha's teaching, and the practice of non-violence is the entire essence of the practice of Buddha dharma,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/non-violence-is-the-essence-of-the-entire-buddha-s-teaching-and-the/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Faith and reason overpower each other throughout one's life, which results in contradiction, but the conflict never ceases in any sphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/faith-and-reason-overpower-each-other-throughout-one-s-life-which/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [A religion must be instrumental in spiritualising the individual into a boundless and holistic nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/a-religion-must-be-instrumental-in-spiritualising-the-individual-into/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [For a person who is very much involved with the institution of religion but has lost the religious spirit, the 'religion' label is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/for-a-person-who-is-very-much-involved-with-the-institution-of/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Bodily discomfort and emotional fear and attachment make the dying uncomfortable and fearful. So, to help those dying people, I think modern medical science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/bodily-discomfort-and-emotional-fear-and-attachment-make-the-dying/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Lack of understanding of interrelatedness has caused numerous divisions and conflicts that are the cause of many major challenges in the world such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/lack-of-understanding-of-interrelatedness-has-caused-numerous/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [Interreligious dialogue is extremely important for religious people as well as secular people or non-believers. They should participate, and they should be encouraged to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/interreligious-dialogue-is-extremely-important-for-religious-people/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) [Explore all 29 Lobsang Tenzin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) ## More Consuming quotes > [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/) [Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/) > [Royalty has always been an unconscious but all-consuming goal of the European immigrant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/royalty-has-always-been-an-unconscious-but-all-consuming-goal-of-the/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [I'm in production year round. I work long hours. I have a dog and a wife. There's not a lot of available time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-m-in-production-year-round-i-work-long-hours-i-have-a-dog-and-a/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [If we were truly in the studio making a record, it would have been more time consuming, and certainly I would have been more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-dayne/if-we-were-truly-in-the-studio-making-a-record-it-would-have-been/) [Taylor Dayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-dayne/) > [The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is a very effective way to raise awareness and consumption of two vital food groups that are sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dean-crapo/the-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-program-is-a-very-effective-way-to/) [Michael Dean Crapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dean-crapo/) > [As I write, Johnny Rotten's first moments in "Anarchy in the U.K." - a rolling earthquake of a laugh, a buried shout, then hoary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/as-i-write-johnny-rotten-s-first-moments-in-anarchy-in-the-u-k-a/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) > [Love to throw yourself on the earth and kiss it. Kiss the earth and love it with an unceasing, consuming love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/love-to-throw-yourself-on-the-earth-and-kiss-it-kiss-the-earth-and/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/development-of-character-consists-solely-in-moving-toward-self/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [ There are about 50 or 60 recommendations \[in "Win"\] for how to communicate, not just the words themselves. All of them had to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-luntz/there-are-about-50-or-60-recommendations-in-win-for-how-to/) [Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-luntz/) > [Shooting stuff on horseback is more complicated and time consuming than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-addy/shooting-stuff-on-horseback-is-more-complicated-and-time-consuming/) [Mark Addy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-addy/) > [A lot of my time is spent watching films and reading scripts. And it can be all-consuming. And it's obviously something I'm fortunate that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/a-lot-of-my-time-is-spent-watching-films-and-reading-scripts-and-it/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [Writing is a creatively rewarding occupation but for me very time consuming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-johnson/writing-is-a-creatively-rewarding-occupation-but-for-me-very-time/) [Holly Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-johnson/) > [Using clouds is a radical way of consuming IT. There are emotional barriers to giving up some level of control over the servers that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-vogels/using-clouds-is-a-radical-way-of-consuming-it-there-are-emotional/) [Werner Vogels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-vogels/) > [There is the extreme of hopelessness and the inevitability of doom, a deep despair that comes from the sense that our industrial, consuming society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/there-is-the-extreme-of-hopelessness-and-the-inevitability-of-doom-a/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [“At a certain point, an eating disorder ceases to be "about" any one thing. It stops being about your family, or your culture. Very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-hornbacher/at-a-certain-point-an-eating-disorder-ceases-to-be-about-any-one/) [Marya Hornbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-hornbacher/) [Browse all 481 Consuming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consuming/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In ancient times, we were users; we used the commodities in accordance to our needs. Using is not sufficient for the modern market; it needs consumers. 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