Overconsumption
"Overconsumption is the engine of war. It forces nations to intervene with other nations, to compete with other nations, to exploit other nations. You cannot simply blame political leaders or political theories when people’s way of life itself is generating the need for this exploitation." [1]
"Overconsumption, of course, has an impact on the world. When it is undertaken by a whole nation of people, it becomes the engine of war. It drives nations to intervene in other nations, to try to control other nations to gain access to their resources. It engenders deception and unethical behavior and ultimately war itself, as the appetites of a whole nation now drive it to struggle and to fight with other nations over who will have access to the resources of those other nations. You may say, “Well, I’m just one person. I don’t consume much. What difference does it make? It does not make a difference.” But to Knowledge within you which is wholly honest and wholly ethical it does make a difference. And to how you feel about yourself and your behavior and your value, it does make a difference. Perhaps it is slight. But as these slights repeat themselves they grow in scope and they erode your self confidence. They erode your self evaluation and your self esteem." [2]
Directives
"You must realize that you must live simply, that you must use resources very conscientiously, that the preservation of resources is not simply a focus for nations and governments, but for each individual." [3]