“The soul, when accustomed to superfluous things, acquires a strong habit of desiring things which are neither necessary for the preservation of the individual nor for that of the species. This desire is without limit, whilst those which are necessary are few in number and restricted within certain limits; but what is superfluous is without end…”
Source: Guide for the Perplexed (c. 1190), Part III, Ch.12
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Maimónides 180
rabbi, physician, philosopher 1138–1204Related quotes

“The superfluous, a very necessary thing.”
Le superflu, chose très nécessaire.
Variant translation: The superfluous is very necessary.
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