ABSTRACT

That luxury is enervating is a proposition which has been maintained by most moralists ever since the time of Diogenes. When the arguments for this point of view are advanced by a philosopher who lives in a tub, we may listen to him with respect, since obviously he himself believes them. In fact, up to a point their validity may be admitted. I have never myself tried living in a tub, which would be unpleasant except in a Mediterranean climate; but I have lived with great contentment in a labourer’s cottage. The voluntary simple life, chosen in order to have leisure for interesting pursuits, has much to recommend it, and no doubt many of the rich spend more on the acquisition of material possessions than they would if they pursued happiness wisely.