Just Plain Living Is the Finest Thing of All

Just Plain Living Is the Finest Thing of All

“How easily we get trapped in that which is not essential – in looking good, winning at competition, gathering power and wealth – when simply being alive is the gift beyond measure. As I die, I rather doubt that I will be reviewing my prizes or my popularity or my bank account. I hope I will be gazing inwardly at that glorious patch of sun gleaming on an old oak floor, a window of light opening into the deep reality of life eternal. Living – just plain living – is the finest thing of all.”

Simplicity is about choosing the life you want

Simplicity is about choosing the life you want

“As I learned to listen within and to focus my time and energies on what I discerned to be God’s will instead of my own, my life began to simplify itself. I found I could let go of extraneous plans and possessions because they no longer fit what I now discerned to be the primary goals for my life at that time – a career change, a move, and more family time. Changes that had seemed difficult and complicated were suddenly clear.”

A Silly Poor Gospel

A Silly Poor Gospel

“We are now coming into that which Christ cried woe against, minding altogether outward things, neglecting the inward work of Almighty God in our hearts, if we can but frame according to outward prescriptions and orders, and deny eating and drinking with our neighbours, in so much that poor Friends is mangled in their minds, that they know not what to do, for one Friend says one way, and another another, but Christ Jesus saith, that we must take no thought what we shall eat, or what we shall drink, or what we shall put on, but bids us consider the lilies how they grow, in more royalty than Solomon.”

Get Down to the Sure Foundation

Get Down to the Sure Foundation

“Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast forth the loose matter and get down to the rock, the sure foundation, and there hearken to that Divine voice which gives a clear and certain sound.”

The Principles of Friends Will Alter Your Dress and Speech

The Principles of Friends Will Alter Your Dress and Speech

“I used to think and do now how little dress matters. But I find it almost impossible to keep to the principles of Friends without altering my dress and speech…. They appear to me a sort of protector to the principles of Christianity in the present state of the world.”

Simplicity Is a Protest Against Triviality

Simplicity Is a Protest Against Triviality

“The heart of Quaker ethics is summed up in the word ‘simplicity’. Simplicity is forgetfulness of self and remembrance of our humble status as waiting servants of God. 

Outwardly, simplicity is shunning superfluities of dress, speech, behaviour, and possessions, which tend to obscure our vision of reality. Inwardly, simplicity is spiritual detachment from the things of this world as part of the effort to fulfil the first commandment: to love God with all of the heart and mind and strength.”

Show Forth that Inward Quietness of Spirit

Show Forth that Inward Quietness of Spirit

“I believe that asceticism is in a very deep sense contrary to the real Quaker spirit, which desires in all things to abstain from any interference ‘in the will of man’ with Divine discipline and guidance, and which would, I believe, regard the idea of self-chosen exercises in mortification of the flesh with the same aversion as it entertains for pre-arranged forms of worship.”

Fashions Last for but a Season

Fashions Last for but a Season

“What is the reason your people tie a great bunch of ribbons behind on their heads, and another under their chin, and on each side of their faces, and on their foreheads? What good do these do you? And what good do these great broad cuffs do you that you wear? Are not these the things that lift up the pride in men and women, that they look upon themselves in their glasses to see whether they be fine? And who taught them to go mincing with their feet? And was not the Prophet moved of the Lord to go naked among Egyptians & the Ethiopians, Isa. 20. What is the pleasures of Egypt, and the pleasures of the world, which are but for a time?”

Live soberly in this present world

Live soberly in this present world

“Advised that all Friends, both old and young, keep out of the world’s corrupt language, manners, vain and needless things and fashions, in apparel, buildings, and furniture of houses, some of which are immodest, indecent, and unbecoming.”

The Inheritance of Life

The Inheritance of Life

“I have been traveling among Friends and writing for Friends for 40 years. I have done workshops and retreats, taught academic classes and short courses, written articles, books, and pamphlets. But preparing the material for this week may have been one of the hardest things I have produced for Friends.” 

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