New-York tribune., 1905-01-28
Ho11ses0fUes Exchange.

THE LIFE THAT IS REALLY SIMPLE.
The diversity of thought which has found ex-
preston among the various writers who have con-
sidered the subject of the simple life has arisen
from their confusion of the two kinds OF simplicity
which though called by the same name. are Of
nearly opposite meanings The first and natural
idea Of simplicity is a mere non-complexty in the
conditions and conduct Of life. But under this
definition OF simplicity shall find the dctum that
the simple life is the should most earnestly
seek decidedly untrue II carried out 10 It's logical
extreme it will lead US into negation and final
nonentity. For where shall draw the line as to
the most desirable degree Of simplicity? Where
shall we stop?
If the simple life OF grandfathers is more de-
sirable than ours. why should not regard the
still more simple life of their grandfathers still
more desirable. and until we arrive at the
simplicity OF our uncivized ancestry? But we need
not stop there. for the mere animal lives a more
simple life than man: and the more undeveloped the
form animal life the simpler it is until we arrive
at the oyster, whose life is the simplest OF all I
push this idea to this reduco ad absurdum because
this conception as to what simple life is funda-
mentally wrong.
The simple life that is genuine and true leads
forward, nor backward II goes on to greater lie;
IT does not return to more primitive forms. All ad
vancement in life is into what is more complex and
If a mechanical simplicity is meant all growth is
cut off by seekino the simple life. But there is such
a thing as the simplicity Of wisdom. which is of
essentials The first that there must be supreme
purpose In life. No life IS simple which borne
hither and thther by conflicting purposes. There
must be one. distinct. ali controlling am which man
contemplates the end for which he is prepared
lay down his life This Is the very soul Of the sim
The second essential is that the affairs Of the
man who would live the simple life shall be grouped
around this central purpose according their
relative Importance, judged from the point OF
view Of this centre. And then in the third place.
there must be course of conduct which in the
most perfect way gives everything in mans life
position OF influence, according It's rela atonship
as thus determined. Where these three principles
matter how complex its conditions.
A life may not be simple though constituted OF
the simplest conditions. A boy an errand
to the postof1ce. II he loiteTs the way and in
duges in play with his companions, and thus
goes the office by circutous route, is leading
life that Is not simple Notwithstanding the sim
plicity OF his mission. But the captain or the
Atlantic liner, who, in the complicated problem of
sailing his vessel from New-York to Southampton,
30 correctly estimates the influences OF all the
complicated conditions which affect his course, the
ocean currents. the winds, the variations Of the
needle, the sphericity of the earth. etc. that ne
pursues his voyage by the most direct course 10
its destination, Is pursuing the simple life in the
sailing OF his steamer.
The simple life. thus defined and illustrated.
progresses TO that which Is more perfect.
The intelligence OF the man who leads such lie
broadened and enriched. and he advances con-
tinually 10 more abundant life
In word The simple life Tor man Is that
course of conduct which most perfectly expresses
a supreme purpose by correctly relating all the
conditions under which II must be lived.
IF thine eye be single thy whole BODY shaIi be
full or light" CLAUSINE q. MANN.
Elkhart. Ind.