LESS IS MORE. What does this statement mean to you?

Answer 1

That more is less.

Seriously, though, sometimes things are better when they are minimalized. There's a house in my town that has gobs and gobs of flower pots, statues, bird baths, columns.... so, so much stuff! It has gone beyond looking decorative to being very cluttered and tacky.

That is a good case of someone who needs to learn that "less is more." ^_~

Answer 2

As a musician, I would suggest some of the instrumental guitar work of Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and jazz guitarist Larry Carlton.

They're not so much concerned with speed and how many notes a person can play; they get the maximum feeling and expression out of less notes.

And....it's not just the notes ~ it's the air space in between them.

Less CAN be more, very easily.

Answer 3

I don't think this is meant as a figurative statement, but as a literal one. In that sense it lies rather close to the ideals of Epicureanism.

Epicurus encouraged what most of us would think of as a life of hedonism, but hand in hand with this was also the guideline of limiting your desire and controlling your behaviour. This is not from any fantastic overarching ethical reason, but rather because by doing so it is more effective:

A person who gluts himself on rich food can make himself sick and lose appreciation of food altogether for a time. Someone who eats too quickly may likewise make himself overfull and interfere with satisfying his own pleasures. On the other hand, a connoisseur who appreciates each bite may take less bites but enjoys each one to its fullest. Less is quite literally more.

This idea actually carries through to most other endeavours. Aristotle is famous for advocating the 'golden mean', suggesting that just as too little of something is a vice, so is too much. Someone who isn't brave enough is a coward, but someone who is too brave is a fool. In between somewhere is the best level of heroic bravery, which is of greatest value and utility.

That's what I (and maybe Epicurus and Aristotle) think anyway. What about you?

Answer 4

It's basically an oxymoron, which is different words used together to get a certain meaning. It means to me that sometimes less is more. Like when you have less things at home, you learn to appreciate everything more. Sometimes when dating, you would want to take it slowly, and so the motto would be less is more. Less attention (i.e. not smothering each other), equals more time together which equals a longer, more developed relationship. Hopefully you'll be able to understand my drift. :)

Answer 5

In terms of styling it is usually taken to mean that you can put more character in things if you keep them simple.
It can also apply in other fields but i personally think it would depend on the individual work of Art as to whether this would apply or not.

Answer 6

To me it refers to the consumerism.
Less clutter is more attractive.
Less "stuff" is more meaningful.
Less complaining is more happiness.
Less fighting is more love.
Less is being thankful for all the little things and more is always wanting more more more.
Less is happy and more is never satisfied, always wanting.

It's an expression.
I wish it were true for all.
Less is more and more more is not better.

Peace.

Answer 7

It's usually meant as a comment in favor of subtlety over excess.

That said, if less is more, just think how much more MORE would be!

Answer 8

Being subtle requires more skill and is more effective than being blatant. Anyone one can yell with power, the trick is speaking quietly and still carrying the same strength.

Answer 9

That when you have Less you appreciate the things you do have More.

Answer 10

LESS clutter is MORE appealing, LESS make-up is MORE natural. LESS fat is MORE attractive. LESS writing on this question MORE questions to answer.