American Indian
"Miserable as we seem in thy eyes, we consider ourselvesÉ much happier than thou, in this that we are very content with the little that we have." (Micmac chief)

Buddhist
"Whoever in this world overcomes his selfish cravings, his sorrows fall away from him, like drops of water from a lotus flower." (Dhammapada, 336)

Christian
It is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matt. 19:23-24)

Confucian
"Excess and deficiency are equally at fault." (Confucius, XI.I5)

Ancient Greek
"Nothing in Excess." (Inscribed at Oracle of Delphi)

Hindu
"That person who lives completely free from desires, without longingÉattains peace." (Bhagavad-Gita, II.7I)

Islamic
"Poverty is my pride." (Muhammad)

Jewish
"Give me neither poverty nor riches." (Proverbs 30:8)

Taoist
"He who knows he has enough is rich." (Tao Te Ching)