“The goatherds were the poorest people of Spain. Probably, they were the richest.”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
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Quote
“The goatherds were the poorest people of Spain. Probably, they were the richest.”
Explanation
In this quote, José Mujica challenges conventional definitions of wealth and poverty, using the example of Spanish goatherds—people materially poor but possibly rich in freedom, simplicity, and connection to nature. By stating that they were “the poorest” and then “probably the richest,” he flips the common view that wealth is purely material, inviting us to consider that true richness may lie in a way of life aligned with inner peace, self-sufficiency, and low dependency on consumer systems.
Mujica’s admiration for rural, modest lifestyles reflects his own values: living simply, rejecting excess, and valuing time, relationships, and autonomy over money and possessions. The goatherds symbolize a kind of life that modern capitalism often overlooks or devalues, yet which may offer a deeper, more sustainable form of happiness and fulfillment. It’s a subtle critique of societies that equate success with accumulation and overlook the richness found in humble lives.
This quote resonates in today’s fast-paced, consumption-driven world, where many find themselves overwhelmed by debt, stress, and material expectations. Mujica’s words remind us that those who own little may actually possess what matters most: freedom from the burdens of excess, and closeness to the rhythms of life. His reflection encourages a reevaluation of what it means to live well—and who, in the end, may truly be the richest.
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