--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Avoid the philosophy and excuse that…" description: "\"Avoid the philosophy and excuse that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities unless we ourselves make them such. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/thomas-s-monson-409_essentials_avoid-the-philosophy-and-excuse-that-yes_109230.png" --- # Avoid the philosophy and excuse that yesterday's luxuries… ![“Avoid the philosophy and excuse that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities unless we ourselves make them such. . . . It is essential for us to live within our means.” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/thomas-s-monson-409_essentials_avoid-the-philosophy-and-excuse-that-yes_109230.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/thomas-s-monson-409_essentials_avoid-the-philosophy-and-excuse-that-yes_109230.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/thomas-s-monson-409_essentials_avoid-the-philosophy-and-excuse-that-yes_109230.png) > “Avoid the philosophy and excuse that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities unless we ourselves make them such. . . . It is essential for us to live within our means.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Luxury items become perceived necessities only when we collectively decide they are essential; living within means means recognizing this construct. **In simple terms:** We make luxuries into needs, so choose to live modestly. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist self‑imposed necessities. Themes consumerism mindfulness financial health self‑discipline Mood reflective pragmatic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal finance planning - minimalist lifestyle adoption - corporate expense policy reviews Key Concepts social conditioning budgeting psychology Practical Applications - track spending to identify self‑created necessities - set realistic budget limits Questions to Reflect On - How do we differentiate true need from socially constructed desire? - What habits help maintain a modest lifestyle? A Different Perspective Some luxuries can provide genuine well‑being, not merely excess. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aren Necessities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aren-necessities-1302653/) [Essentials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essentials/) [Excuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuse/) [Luxuries Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxuries-today-1302655/) [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Necessities Aren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessities-aren-1302651/) [Necessities Unless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessities-unless-1302654/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Today Necessities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today-necessities-1302652/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) ## Related quotes > [We are developing new types of destitutes-the automobileless, the yachtless, the Newportcottageless. 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