How to Handel money

'What right have you to take the word 'wealth' 

which originally meant 'well-being' 

and degrade and narrow it by confining it 

to certain sorts of material objects measured by money?'

John Ruskin

A question remains about the validity of a particular acquisition -

 where, if anywhere does one draw the line 

between self-indulgence and potential need? 

To take but one example, is it justifiable to spend money 

purchasing a recording of Handel's Oratorio Theodora, 

or to invite a group of friends to dine 

in a relatively expensive restaurant?

There is no easy answer to this puzzle -

simplicity is about acceptance of limits, 

yet it cannot exclude the enrichment of music 

and the celebration of friendship. 

Both are rich in ends. Both contribute in subtle, meaningful ways. 

So the answer depends on motivations and frequencies, 

priorities and budget as well as the maintenance of balance between 

kindling the spirit and living the virtues of a simple life.


From Timeless Simplicity by John Lane.


It is better to have fewer wants than to have larger resources.
St. Augustine.

(I want to be able to sight sing-along
to Handel's Oratorio,
but no amount of money is ever going to make that happen.)