"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone"
- Henry David Thoreau
About this Quote
This quote by Henry David Thoreau recommends that an individual's wealth is not always determined by the quantity of cash they have, but rather by the amount of material belongings they can do without. Thoreau is recommending that a person's true wealth is not measured by the amount of cash they have, however by the amount of material ownerships they can do without. He is indicating that an individual who can afford to let go of product ownerships is more wealthy than someone who is continuously attempting to acquire a growing number of belongings. This quote motivates us to think about what is really important in life and to focus on experiences and relationships instead of product possessions. Thoreau's quote encourages us to think of what is truly important in life and to focus on experiences and relationships instead of material possessions. By doing so, we can end up being more rich in terms of our relationships, experiences, and overall happiness.
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