The Value of Voluntary Simplicity
By Richard B. Gregg
Pendle Hill Pamphlet 3, 1936
The author considers the value of simplicity, and more explicitly the harm which is done by excessive attachment to property and things. He gives full play to the doubts and arguments against living the simple life: "Is it not the duty of sensitive people to grasp power and direct its use as well as possible? Is this cry for simplicity only a camouflage for irresponsibility, for lack of courage or failure of energy?"
In some detail Richard Gregg illustrates where the assumptions of the 'good life' have gone awry, and how civilizations absorbed with their ethic of consumption have led to their own demise. He leads us to simple and insightful principles, e.g.: "the essence of man's social life lies in qualitative rather than quantitative relationships: it is moral, not technological."

In this small pamphlet we are given a wide-ranging yet preliminary discussion of simplicity. This includes discussions of the Economic Reasons for Simplicity, Simplicity and Political Influence, Social Aspects of Simplicity, Non-violence and Simplicity, Simplicity and Religion, Simplicity and Personality, and other topics. See if you don't agree with Richard that "simplicity, to be more effective, must inform and be integrated with many aspects of life."

PDF document: http://www.pendlehill.org/pdf%20files/php003.pdf
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