From naive simplicity we arrive at more profound simplicity.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.—Simplicity is in the intention; purity in the affection: simplicity turns to God; purity unites with and enjoys him.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art.
—Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) American Architect
There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth are absent.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
Losers have tons of variety. Champions take pride in just learning to hit the same old boring winners.
—Vic Braden (b.1929) American Sportsperson, Author
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
—Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) (1904–91) American Children’s Books Writer, Writer, Cartoonist, Animator
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
—John Burroughs (1837–1921) American Naturalist, Writer
I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
Still we live meanly, like ants; though the fable tells us that we were long ago changed into men; like pygmies we fight with cranes; it is error upon error, and clout upon clout, and our best virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered away by detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail. In the midst of this chopping sea of civilized life, such are the clouds and storms and quicksands and thousand-and-one items to be allowed for, that a man has to live, if he would not founder and go to the bottom and not make his port at all, by dead reckoning, and he must be a great calculator indeed who succeeds. Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity, and humanity.
—William Zinsser (1922–2015) American Writer, Editor, Literary Critic, Teacher
I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
See it big, and keep it simple.
—Wilferd Arlan Peterson (1900–95) American Author
I would not give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.
—Unknown
What is conceived well is expressed clearly.
—Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux (1636–1711) French Poet, Satirist, Literary Critic
Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
They are the guiding oracles which man has found out for himself in that great business of ours, of learning how to be, to do, to do without, and to depart.
—John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838–1923) British Political Leader, Writer, Editor, Journalist
If you walk, just walk. If you sit, just sit. But whatever you do, don’t wobble.
—Unknown
Genius can be recognized by its childish simplicity.
—Chinese Proverb
We must strive to reach that simplicity that lies beyond sophistication.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
It is the childlike mind that finds the kingdom.
—Charles Fillmore (1854–1948) American New Thought Mystic
The idea is to get the pencil moving quickly.
—Bernard Malamud (1914–86) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
If our love were but more simple, we should take Him at his word, and our lives would be all sunshine in the sweetness of the Lord.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
The main purpose of science is simplicity and as we understand more things, everything is becoming simpler.
—Edward Teller (1908–2003) Hungarian-born American Physicist
Simplicity is the seal of truth.
—Indian Proverb
The complex develops out of the simple.
—Colin Wilson (b.1931) British Philosopher, Novelist
He is of a free and open nature that thinks all men honest who but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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