“Vivre simplement, pour que simplement d'autres puissent vivre.”
Share this quote
Attribution note
French translation of a saying widely credited to Gandhi but with no primary source; researchers cannot trace it to any Gandhi text and note the competing Mother Seton attribution. Two Goodreads likes is popularity only.
Likely origin: No reliable source in Gandhi's writings; absent from his Wikiquote page. Competing popular attribution to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (also unverified). French rendering of 'Live simply so that others may simply live.'
Review the attribution sourceAbout this quote
Cutting back on what you consume isn't only self-denial — it frees up resources, attention, and space that others can use. The practice ties personal restraint to a wider fairness: less hoarding at the top means more to go around.
When to use it
- Buying only what you'll actually use so food and goods aren't wasted while others go without.
- Choosing a smaller home and fewer possessions to keep your footprint low.
- Sharing tools with neighbors instead of every household owning a rarely-used drill.