Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817, so now every July 12 is known as Simplicity Day. Just before his 28th birthday he moved to a small cabin near Walden Pond in order to live simply and quietly. In words (hopefully) familiar to all high school graduates, Thoreau explained:
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
~Thoreau’s Walden
Today, his writings are often a rallying point for those who wish to simplify their lives, cutting out physical and mental clutter. Thoreau is actually quite a controversial figure, but he does have a lot of good quotes that have been plastered on walls, jewelry, and even coffee mugs. 🙂
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
