Everybody loves quotes, especially inspirational quotes. But we wanted to go one further and share some inspiring minimalist quotes that leave us feeling…inspired! So to take a page out of the Muppet’s intro song, these are our most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, minimalist quotes…

#1. Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), Fight Club

“The things you own end up owning you.”

Not only do many lines from Fight Club resonate with minimalists, but the underlying theme of the movie does as well.

#2. Eddie Vedder, Gone (performed by Pearl Jam)

“If nothing is everything, I would have it all.”

This is one of my favorite songs. Many, many years ago I used to listen to songs for the beats, melody, sounds, etc. Oh sure, I knew the words to songs. I could recite every line from The Humpty Dance – but I didn’t really listen to the words. My wife taught me to listen to the words; moreover, to understand the story being told. This drastically changed my outlook on music (and The Humpty Dance). And a few years ago, this song drastically changed my outlook on life thanks to the story.

#3. James J. Lachard (aka Jim Brown)

“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Sound familiar? Many have credited the Dali Lama with this quote, but it is in fact a quote from Jim Brown.

#4. Jered Weaver, Pitcher, LA Angels of Anaheim

“How much more do you need? Could have got more, whatever. Who cares? If $85 million is not enough to take care of my family and generations to come, then I’m pretty stupid.”

Mr. Weaver said this after signing a five year, $85 million contract to stay with Angels. He’s absolutely right, how much more do players (and owners) really need? His contract is up after the 2016 season, we’ll see if he’s still singing the same tune with what could be his last chance to “cash in”, so to speak. But down to earth quotes like this are rare from this generations millionaire athletes. I don’t fault them for going for top dollar, but when some opt for money over winning, it shows their true values.

#5. Hunter S. Thompson

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

Can’t say I lead a rough and tumble life, but I’m definitely going to have less regrets than many. This probably isn’t so much a minimalist quote as it is a “live life” quote, but being that living with less has allowed us to do more, it makes perfect sense.

#6. Rumi (Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī)

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go”

And sometimes it’s a very tough choice between the two!

#7. Socrates

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy life a lot more with less stuff!

#8. George Carlin

“A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.”

Carlin had a very unique outlook on…stuff.

How about you? Got any minimalist quotes that inspire you or that you have adopted as your mantra?