Perhaps Thoreau can shed some light[1]: "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindran

Perhaps Thoreau can shed some light[1]: "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meagre life than the poor. ... There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live. To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. It is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically." [1] http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/walden/hdt01.html http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/walden/hdt01.html