"Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meager life than the poor. The ancient philosophers, Chinese, Hindoo, Persian, and Greek, were a class than which none has been poorer in outward riches, none so rich inward." ~ Henry David Thoreau
I thought it fitting to end this "Wall Street vs Washington" week with a brief post in honor of the life and death of a man considered to be a 'modern-day Thoreau' -- a master of contentment -- the antithesis of greed and materialism.
In a world largely defined in monetary and material terms, it is quite refreshing to hear and read of those who choose to live a meager existence -- those rare beings who defy the conventional wisdom that more is better -- those who deny the misguided philosophy of life, often manifesting itself in the form of greed and illustrated in the symbolic Goldman Sachs grilling in Washington this week.
This modern-day Thoreau, named Richard Zimmerman and known affectionately as "Dugout Dick," recently died at the age of 94. His story was highlighted in a web article, Death of 'Caveman' ends era in Idaho.
Here are some excerpts from the article that highlight his 19th century values and existence:
Known as the "Salmon River Caveman," Richard Zimmerman lived an essentially 19th century lifestyle, a digital-age anachronism who never owned a telephone or a television and lived almost entirely off the land.
He was the last of Idaho's river-canyon loners that date back to Territorial days. Most, like Zimmerman, came from someplace else...
Drawn by Idaho's remoteness and wild places removed from social pressures, they came and spent their lives here, leaving only in death.
Some became reluctant celebrities, interviewed about their unusual lifestyles and courted by media heavyweights.
Zimmerman was featured in National Geographic magazine and spurned repeated invitations to appear on the "Tonight Show." His metamorphosis to Dugout Dick began when he crossed a wooden bridge over the Salmon River in 1947 and built a makeshift home on the side of a hill. He spent the rest of his life there, fashioning one cave-like dwelling after another, furnishing them with castoff doors, car windows, old tires and other leavings. "I have everything here," he said. "I got lots of rocks and rubber tires. I have plenty of straw and fruit and vegetables, my dog and my cats and my guitars. I make wine to cook with. There's nothing I really need."
Cort Conley, who included Zimmerman in his 1994 book "Idaho Loners", said that "like Thoreau, he often must have smiled at how much he didn't need. What gave him uncommon grace and dignity for me were his spiritual life, his musical artistry, his unperturbed acceptance of life as it is, and being a WWII veteran who had served his country and harbored no expectations in return."
A true philosopher indeed! Rest in peace Mr. Zimmerman...
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Related:
Quotes on Contentment(Why you need to) Get 'Rich' Quickly!
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