--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Simplicity and order are, if not the…" description: "\"Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then certainly the most important guidelines for human beings in general.\" — M. C. Escher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/m-c-escher-15873_guidelines_simplicity-and-order-are-if-not-the-prin_3226810.png" --- # Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then… ![“Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then certainly the most important guidelines for human beings in general.” quote by M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/m-c-escher-15873_guidelines_simplicity-and-order-are-if-not-the-prin_3226810.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/m-c-escher-15873_guidelines_simplicity-and-order-are-if-not-the-prin_3226810.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/m-c-escher-15873_guidelines_simplicity-and-order-are-if-not-the-prin_3226810.png) > “Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then certainly the most important guidelines for human beings in general.” [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Order and simplicity are essential guides for humanity, shaping thought and behavior. **In simple terms:** Simplicity and order guide human life. Key Takeaway Embrace clear structure and minimalism. Themes simplicity order guidance Mood analytical calm Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - daily routines - workspace organization - educational curricula Key Concepts cognitive psychology design principles Questions to Reflect On - How does simplicity aid decision making? - When might complexity be preferable? A Different Perspective Over‑simplification may ignore necessary complexity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Simplicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity/) ## Related quotes > [“The theoretical determination of the fine structure constant is certainly the most important of the unsolved problems of modern physics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-pauli/the-theoretical-determination-of-the-fine-structure-constant-is/) [Wolfgang Pauli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-pauli/) > [I certainly would not deny that the Tea Party, the issues that they have looked at are certainly important to me as well... debt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rosendale/i-certainly-would-not-deny-that-the-tea-party-the-issues-that-they/) [Matt Rosendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rosendale/) > [Inner reality is certainly more important than the outer reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/inner-reality-is-certainly-more-important-than-the-outer-reality/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [It is certainly important to be looking for cures to medical disorders, but it is equally important to conduct research on human health and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-laberge/it-is-certainly-important-to-be-looking-for-cures-to-medical/) [Stephen LaBerge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-laberge/) > [I certainly don't delude myself that there aren't certainly more important things to do in life than make people laugh, but I can't imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-newhart/i-certainly-don-t-delude-myself-that-there-aren-t-certainly-more/) [Bob Newhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-newhart/) > [Certainly it's much more important for me to go to a good movie and spend a nice night with my wife than it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christgau/certainly-it-s-much-more-important-for-me-to-go-to-a-good-movie-and/) [Robert Christgau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-christgau/) > [Certainly, its important to protect the water system and that covers, certainly, everything from vandals to terrorists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wilson/certainly-its-important-to-protect-the-water-system-and-that-covers/) [James Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wilson/) > [The U.N. might not be the most luxurious place to work, but it certainly is one of the most important places in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/the-u-n-might-not-be-the-most-luxurious-place-to-work-but-it/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Creating more characters that represent historically marginalized and historically disenfranchised people in television and film is certainly important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asia-kate-dillon/creating-more-characters-that-represent-historically-marginalized-and/) [Asia Kate Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asia-kate-dillon/) > [Politics and government are certainly among the most important of practical human interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/politics-and-government-are-certainly-among-the-most-important-of/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [It's certainly important for people to have a sense of privacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-mckelvey/it-s-certainly-important-for-people-to-have-a-sense-of-privacy/) [Miguel McKelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-mckelvey/) > [My own take on the word "transgender" is that it's an umbrella term for anyone who breaks any rules, laws, guidelines or protocol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bornstein/my-own-take-on-the-word-transgender-is-that-it-s-an-umbrella-term-for/) [Kate Bornstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bornstein/) > [Contrary to a common myth, while there are general guidelines, there is no exact 'right' way to run ... I am amazed by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grete-waitz/contrary-to-a-common-myth-while-there-are-general-guidelines-there-is/) [Grete Waitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grete-waitz/) > [I wish somebody made guidelines on how to get up off the sidelines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole/i-wish-somebody-made-guidelines-on-how-to-get-up-off-the-sidelines/) [J Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole/) > [It's very funny. People do not want to achieve liberation or be happy. This is the basic guideline they teach you in Spiritual Training…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-s-very-funny-people-do-not-want-to-achieve-liberation-or-be-happy/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by M. C. Escher > [I could fill an entire second life with working on my prints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/i-could-fill-an-entire-second-life-with-working-on-my-prints/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [The regular division of the plane into congruent figures evoking an association in the observer with a familiar natural object is one of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/the-regular-division-of-the-plane-into-congruent-figures-evoking-an/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [I might be in the basement. I'll go upstairs and check.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/i-might-be-in-the-basement-i-ll-go-upstairs-and-check/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [ For me it remains an open question whether \[this work\] pertains to the realm of mathematics or to that of art. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/for-me-it-remains-an-open-question-whether-this-work-pertains-to-the/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [I never got a pass mark in math... Just imagine - mathematicians now use my prints to illustrate their books. Funny me consorting with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/i-never-got-a-pass-mark-in-math-just-imagine-mathematicians-now-use/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [As far as I know, there is no proof whatever of the existence of an objective reality apart from our senses, and I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/as-far-as-i-know-there-is-no-proof-whatever-of-the-existence-of-an/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [Science and art sometimes can touch one another, like two pieces of the jigsaw puzzle which is our human life, and that contact may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/science-and-art-sometimes-can-touch-one-another-like-two-pieces-of/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [ In mathematical quarters, the regular division of the plane has been considered theoretically. ... \[Mathematicians\] have opened the gate leading to an extensive domain,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/in-mathematical-quarters-the-regular-division-of-the-plane-has-been/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [I might be in the basement. I'll go upstairs and check. We adore chaos because we love to produce order. I don't use drugs;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/i-might-be-in-the-basement-i-ll-go-upstairs-and-check-we-adore-chaos/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [The things I want to express are so beautiful and pure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/the-things-i-want-to-express-are-so-beautiful-and-pure/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [To tell you the truth, I am rather perplexed by the concept of 'art'. What one person considers to be 'art' is often not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/to-tell-you-the-truth-i-am-rather-perplexed-by-the-concept-of-art/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [To have peace with this peculiar life; to accept what we do not understand; to wait calmly for what awaits us, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/to-have-peace-with-this-peculiar-life-to-accept-what-we-do-not/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [Although I am even now still a layman in the area of mathematics, and although I lack theoretical knowledge, the mathematicians, and in particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/although-i-am-even-now-still-a-layman-in-the-area-of-mathematics-and/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [It is human nature to want to exchange ideas, and I believe that, at bottom, every artist wants no more than to tell the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/it-is-human-nature-to-want-to-exchange-ideas-and-i-believe-that-at/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [All my works are games, serious game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/all-my-works-are-games-serious-game/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) [Explore all 41 M. C. Escher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) ## More Guidelines quotes > [It's very funny. People do not want to achieve liberation or be happy. This is the basic guideline they teach you in Spiritual Training…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-s-very-funny-people-do-not-want-to-achieve-liberation-or-be-happy/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I wish somebody made guidelines on how to get up off the sidelines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole/i-wish-somebody-made-guidelines-on-how-to-get-up-off-the-sidelines/) [J Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole/) > [Contrary to a common myth, while there are general guidelines, there is no exact 'right' way to run ... I am amazed by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grete-waitz/contrary-to-a-common-myth-while-there-are-general-guidelines-there-is/) [Grete Waitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grete-waitz/) > [My own take on the word "transgender" is that it's an umbrella term for anyone who breaks any rules, laws, guidelines or protocol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bornstein/my-own-take-on-the-word-transgender-is-that-it-s-an-umbrella-term-for/) [Kate Bornstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bornstein/) > [I know we can't abolish prejudice through laws, but we can set up guidelines for our actions by legislation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-we-can-t-abolish-prejudice-through-laws-but-we-can-set-up/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I have found good general guidelines are: be polite, be pleasant, be brief. When even that is too much to manage, pick a quiet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-derr/i-have-found-good-general-guidelines-are-be-polite-be-pleasant-be/) [Megan Derr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-derr/) > [We welcome the Election Commission's announcement of a five-phase poll in the state. We will abide by all the guidelines and directives issued by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mamata-banerjee/we-welcome-the-election-commission-s-announcement-of-a-five-phase/) [Mamata Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mamata-banerjee/) > [EPA gets to set a standard for new. For the existing, EPA sets guidelines for what we think is appropriate, but then states develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-mccarthy/epa-gets-to-set-a-standard-for-new-for-the-existing-epa-sets/) [Gina McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-mccarthy/) > [Futurists and common sense concur that a substantial change, worldwide, in life style and moral guidelines will soon become an absolute necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-wolcott-sperry/futurists-and-common-sense-concur-that-a-substantial-change-worldwide/) [Roger Wolcott Sperry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-wolcott-sperry/) > [And under the new guidelines issued by the Obama Administration, Federal agents will not pursue pot-smoking patients in states that allow medical marijuana. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/and-under-the-new-guidelines-issued-by-the-obama-administration/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“A writer who can't follow submission guidelines is like a pilot without a plane... ain't gonna get very far!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-linsdell/a-writer-who-can-t-follow-submission-guidelines-is-like-a-pilot/) [Jo Linsdell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-linsdell/) > [“Sometimes, feels flexible is the one makes you falling down on the edge. I'm telling you, be more relevant in some case and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shim-steward/sometimes-feels-flexible-is-the-one-makes-you-falling-down-on-the/) [Shim Steward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shim-steward/) > [People are interested in authentic long-term, socialist goals, which is not what is usually called socialism. They should be thinking through carefully how the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/people-are-interested-in-authentic-long-term-socialist-goals-which-is/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I tell you this: You are your own rule-maker. You set the guidelines. And you decide how well you have done; how well you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/i-tell-you-this-you-are-your-own-rule-maker-you-set-the-guidelines/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [I love to read about music and about art, but I don't try and take things about mythology or guidelines as to how I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-haines/i-love-to-read-about-music-and-about-art-but-i-don-t-try-and-take/) [Emily Haines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-haines/) Browse all 149 Guidelines quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then certainly the most important guidelines for human beings in general.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "M. C. 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