Acres Quote by Voltaire
““I have no more than twenty acres of ground," he replied, "the whole of which I cultivate myself with the help of my children; and our labor keeps off from us the three great evils - boredom, vice, and want.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, 1765
Self-sufficient farming with family labor prevents boredom, vice, and want, highlighting the value of modest, honest work.
In simple terms: Working the land with family avoids three major evils.
Key Takeaway
Embrace simple, productive living.
Themes
self‑reliance
family
contentment
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- rural homesteads
- family farms
- community gardens
- self‑sufficiency projects
Key Concepts
agricultural philosophy
virtue
minimalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What small steps can urban dwellers take toward self‑reliance?
- How does community support reduce boredom?
A Different Perspective
Modern economies may limit feasibility of small‑scale farming.
![“[Footnote:] Pliny the Elder described a Whale called "Balaena or Whirlpool, which is so long and broad as to take up more in length and breadth than two acres of ground." This brings up again the old question: Are the classics doomed? Our ancestors believed that four years of this sort of…” quote by Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/will-cuppy-7569_acres_footnote-pliny-the-elder-described-a-wha_84284.jpg)
