--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On Epicurus; He says: \"Contended poverty…" description: "\"“On Epicurus; He says: \"Contended poverty is an honourable estate.\" Indeed, if it is contented, it is not poverty at all. It is not the man who has lit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/seneca-956_philosophy_on-epicurus-he-says-contended-poverty-is_116926.jpg" --- # On Epicurus; He says: "Contended poverty is an honourable… ![“On Epicurus; He says: "Contended poverty is an honourable estate." Indeed, if it is contented, it is not poverty at all. It is not the man who has little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” quote by Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/seneca-956_philosophy_on-epicurus-he-says-contended-poverty-is_116926.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/seneca-956_philosophy_on-epicurus-he-says-contended-poverty-is_116926.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/seneca-956_philosophy_on-epicurus-he-says-contended-poverty-is_116926.jpg) > ““On Epicurus; He says: "Contended poverty is an honourable estate." Indeed, if it is contented, it is not poverty at all. It is not the man who has little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”” [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True poverty is a mindset of endless desire; contentment transforms scarcity into dignity. **In simple terms:** Contentment, not lack, defines poverty. Key Takeaway Desire, not material need, creates poverty. Themes contentment desire philosophy wealth Mood calm inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - minimalist lifestyle - financial budgeting - gratitude practice Key Concepts Stoic ethics psychology of satisfaction Practical Applications - Cultivate gratitude - Limit unnecessary wants Questions to Reflect On - What distinguishes healthy ambition from greed? - Can contentment coexist with societal progress? A Different Perspective Extreme asceticism may neglect legitimate needs and social support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) ## Related quotes > [Epicurus says that you should rather have regard to the company with whom you eat and drink, than to what you eat and drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/epicurus-says-that-you-should-rather-have-regard-to-the-company-with/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Epicurus says, "gratitude is a virtue that has commonly profit annexed to it." And where is the virtue that has not? 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