Limit Your Wants | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1875

Limit Your Wants.

LORD BOLINGBROKE, in his “Reflections upon Exile,” says: “Our natural and real wants are confined to narrow bounds, while those which fancy and custom create are confined to none.” Young men who are just entering upon life, and forming the habits which are likely to adhere to them to its close, will do well to treasure up in memory these true and instructive words of one of England’s finest writers and most philosophic statesmen: “Our natural and real wants are confined to narrow bounds.” It is surprising how little it is that is absolutely essential to man’s existence, and, if he will take an intelligent and considerate view of life, to his comfort and happiness. Intellectual enjoyments are comparatively cheap. The cultivation of the mind, which affords the highest and the only enduring satisfaction, can be pursued on an income quite insignificant for the supply of luxuries. Our physical wants are very few, if we preserve our tastes simple, as they are by nature. To eat, to drink, to exercise, to sleep, to keep warm, and to be sheltered; a small sum will supply all these necessities. The pleasures which are pure, and which tend to our improvement, are within the reach of almost every one. But the wants which fancy and custom create, as Lord Bolingbroke well says, are confined to no bounds. It is against these that young men on the threshold of life should sedulously guard. Beware of luxurious and expensive habits. The gratification of them may cost you much of the labor and time which, if given to intellectual cultivation, would be far more conducive to happiness. It is easy to do without that which you have never indulged in. It is hard to leave off habits, however extravagant and absurd. When you are to decide about adopting a mode or style of living, consider well whether it is certain that, without inconvenience, you will be able always to preserve it. The only safe rule is, to keep your wants within narrow bounds.—Sel.