--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And so I continue in borderline poverty…" description: "\"“And so I continue in borderline poverty, save for my one indulgence, no, my single absolute necessity: I take cabs. Yes, on occasion, when I wish to s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/paul-rudnick-17393_absolutes_and-so-i-continue-in-borderline-poverty_1530727.jpg" --- # And so I continue in borderline poverty, save for my one… ![“And so I continue in borderline poverty, save for my one indulgence, no, my single absolute necessity: I take cabs. Yes, on occasion, when I wish to see what people with unpleasant skin conditions are wearing, I do take the subway. I have never, I am proud to say, taken the bus, because people who…” quote by Paul Rudnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/paul-rudnick-17393_absolutes_and-so-i-continue-in-borderline-poverty_1530727.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/paul-rudnick-17393_absolutes_and-so-i-continue-in-borderline-poverty_1530727.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/paul-rudnick-17393_absolutes_and-so-i-continue-in-borderline-poverty_1530727.jpg) > ““And so I continue in borderline poverty, save for my one indulgence, no, my single absolute necessity: I take cabs. Yes, on occasion, when I wish to see what people with unpleasant skin conditions are wearing, I do take the subway. I have never, I am proud to say, taken the bus, because people who take the bus have given up.”” [Paul Rudnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudnick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He lives on a shoestring budget, allowing only cabs as a luxury, avoiding buses as a symbol of surrender. **In simple terms:** He spends little, splurges on cabs, avoids buses to stay proud. Key Takeaway Choose small luxuries that align with your values. Themes budget pride luxury social perception choice Mood wry reflective humorous Type personal social commentary humor When to use this quote - daily commuting - travel planning - financial constraint - social self‑image - urban living Key Concepts minimalism consumerism identity status symbols Questions to Reflect On - What does your “absolute necessity” reveal about your values? - How do you balance frugality with personal enjoyment? A Different Perspective Relying on a single luxury can mask deeper financial insecurity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutes/) [Occasions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasions/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [The world's problems are, by and large, human problems-the unavoidable consequence of egoic sleepwalking. If we care to look, all the signs are present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/the-world-s-problems-are-by-and-large-human-problems-the-unavoidable/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [“The theologian Paul Tillich wrote that "loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude." 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