The value of simplicity

I was wondering about the necessity of simplicity in life and am trying to keep things orderly, organized and uncomplicated this term. Ironically, Simplicity does have a rather complex definition: Simplicity is a meta-scientific criterion by which we evaluate competing theories. One quote puts it beautifully:"Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought."All great men have preached simplicity in life. Hindu and Buddhists have always had a thrifty spiritual lifestyle. Gautama Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and Guru Nanak all practised simple living. Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi were personifications of simplicity. I have started reading Harish Dhillon's Guru Nanak and am liking it very much. It is written in chronological style starting with the history ofPunjab at that time and describing events, characters and incidents in great simplicity and yet in delicate detail. The cover sketch has been made by Sukirat who was my art teacher in YPS and the map of Punjab during the time of Nanak was made by Kooner Sir. His close relationship with his sister, Nanaki, is described beautifully. Like how Nanak went and wept in a forest when she got married. Also, the influence of Muslims in his life. His neighbour Sayyad Hussain and Kalo's (his father) friend Rai Bular are both Muslim and shown to have a tremendous impact on Nanak's thoughts. The book brings Guru Nanak and the characters associated with him to life. Harish Dhillon runs us through the customs of those times. He goes in detail of how Nanak was born in Talwandi and not in maternal house in Village Chahalwala, the maiden village of Mata Tripta - but where Nanaki was born and hence the name (nankeh). How Nanak was named so because Nanaki never let him go when he was born. So his name came to be Nanak or Nanaki's baby. Nanak treated shudra-muslim-enemy as he did khatri-brahman-friend. Nanaki liked such unusual characteristics of Nanak, but their mother Tripta was not too happy and Kalo was usually losing his temper. Indeed, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer.” (Thoreau)