“Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.”

Interpretation & Key Theme

Meaning: True richness arises from satisfaction and moderation, while endless luxury breeds dissatisfaction and dependency.
Core idea: Desire management—not accumulation—defines real prosperity.

IBC-Style Outline

Introduction

  • Paradox of modern times: rising wealth, falling happiness.
  • Thesis: Inner sufficiency creates abundance; excess desire creates deprivation.

Body (Dimensions)

  1. Philosophical & spiritual
    1. Indian ethos: Santosh.
    1. Buddhism: craving = suffering.
  2. Psychological dimension
    1. Hedonic treadmill: luxury resets satisfaction baseline.
    1. Contentment improves mental health.
  3. Economic & social
    1. Consumerism drives inequality and debt.
    1. Example: lifestyle inflation in urban middle class.
  4. Environmental sustainability
    1. Luxury consumption strains planetary boundaries.
    1. Contentment aligns with sustainable living.
  5. Public policy
    1. Well-being indices over GDP alone.
    1. Example: Bhutan’s GNH.
  6. Limitation
    1. Contentment ≠ complacency; ambition with restraint.

Conclusion

  • Wealth of mind ensures freedom; luxury of desire ensures bondage.
  • Sustainable societies require cultural shift from excess to sufficiency.

Core Dimensions & Examples

  • Spiritual: Indian philosophy
  • Psychology: hedonic adaptation
  • Economy: consumer debt
  • Environment: climate crisis
  • Governance: well-being metrics
  • Social life: minimalist movements

Quotes / Thinkers

  • Gandhi: enough for need, not for greed
  • Epicurus: wealth lies in limiting desires
  • Thoreau: simplicity as richness

Revision Tips

  • Use paradox clearly (rich yet poor)
  • Link contentment to sustainability
  • End with “contentment ≠ stagnation”