Who said it first?
Granville Island, Vancouver
“Focus on what makes you happy, and do what gives meaning to your life”
― Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
“Less is more” seems to have its genesis in the 1855 poem attributed to Robert Browning – Andrea Del Sarto. Andrea del Sarto was a Florentine painter who lived in the time of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (1886 – 1969), one of the founders of modern architecture, embraced this idea in his artistic endeavours, which has come to signify that simplicity and clarity lead to good design.
While “less is more” is really a paradox, we accept it as an absolute truth. The definition of “less” is clearly the opposite of “more.” And yet, we recognize its validity in our experience. Perhaps we can argue that frugality = “less is more.”
Another of your great equations. I will not argue with it.
January 24, 2013 at 1:28 am
Math seems to be an integral part of our lives!!! It is hard to argue with 2+2=4!!
January 24, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Wise words, indeed! I find it interesting that so many famous people lived at the same time. I’m just reading “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle”. He lived during this time as well.
January 24, 2013 at 6:22 am
How interesting. It seems that the 1800′s produced some interesting thinkers. May it be said to be the same for our time!!
January 24, 2013 at 5:58 pm
“Less is More” is always a meaningful idea, I first encountered this concept was from a interior design book with that title, as it explained how to make best use of space say in smaller apartment or house …. I enjoyed that book very much, it tells a lot!
January 24, 2013 at 10:46 am
Sounds like a great book! Living spaces are becoming smaller, even in Canada, which is know for having a huge land mass. I was thinking of you when I came across a quote by Frederic Chopin: “Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.”
January 24, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Yes, maturity and simplicity should be a pair, I am heading for that direction! Thanks for thinking of me, Chopin obviously possessed musical and life wisdom …..
January 25, 2013 at 3:35 am
Well said!!! I am glad that we are heading in the same direction – we are going to have many adventures along the way…
January 25, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Indeed.
I agree with everything you wrote.
January 24, 2013 at 11:58 am
Your visits always make me smile!!! Thank you for you comments.
January 24, 2013 at 5:50 pm
This is so clever, isn’t it – and it works so beautifully both ways round.
January 24, 2013 at 12:10 pm
It is very clever – and it applies to pretty well everything. Consider other iterations like: “the less said, the better”
January 24, 2013 at 5:48 pm
This post made me want to go clean out my closets.
Less is more. More for the trash man to cart off.
( How many of your other followers just write the first thing that pops into their minds? )
January 24, 2013 at 3:43 pm
I love when you stop by and write the first thing that comes to mind. Usually, they are the words that are most honest and authentic.
January 24, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Oh this reminds me of springtime and the cherry blossoms blooming along the basin in DC. Beautiful photo Rebecca.
January 24, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Today, I felt that spring was coming. In a few more weeks, we should see the crocuses. Thank you so much for stopping by – your comments are very much appreciated.
January 24, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Beautiful flower!!! Wonderful shot and post!!!
January 24, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Thank you for your heart warming comments!!!
January 24, 2013 at 11:17 pm