Kasi naniniwala ako, na yung ating mga possession sa buhay ay hindi naman talaga sa atin. Hangga’t kaya mong pasimplehin ang buhay mo, mas malaki ang internal freedom na makukuha mo and when you are called to really be generous and to help others, mas malaki ang latitude ng ganun. Pati wala kang masyadong concern sa buhay, wala kang masyadong anxiety kasi wala kang kasubuan. So number one yun.

 

And we have been religiously observing that, kami ng asawa ko, from the very beginning that’s why we really, really live very simple lives. And nung napunta ako sa public sector, bagay na—kasi yung sinasabi sa Article 11 Section 1 na every public officer must lead modest lives, eh yun na yun eh. So walang difficulty. And how I live it—siyempre kapag Chief Justice ka, you get to taste the best kind of food, the most expensive, kasi yan ang sini-serve minsan sa ibang mga affair na aattendan mo including yung mga foreign events. Kapag nakatikim ako ng napakasarap at napakamahal na meal, sinasabi ko Lord, let me not always look for this kind of food. I thank you for this but let my heart not hanker for this. And then, kung simpleng-simple naman ang pagkain namin—and I really make it a point na simple ang pagkain namin sa bahay—then I say Lord, give me such an enjoyment for this food that I will always be thankful to you the God who gives me the delights of life. Ganun yung prayer ko para hindi ka mate-tempt. So, live well much, much well below your means.