Another of the practical applications of philosophy is the injunction to waste nothing. The usefulness of anything is entirely a matter of relativity. That which is useless to you in a certain connection may become useful in a different connection or at a later time. Again, it may still be useless even when considered under these two aspects but yet it may be most useful to another person. Therefore if there is some thing you don't want to keep, give it away to someone who needs it. Don't throw it away and destroy it. You are only a steward. If you take a purely personal standpoint or if you live merely for the present moment, such counsel may make no appeal to you. If, however, you have risen to the philosophic and universal standpoint and consider everything not merely relative to your own ego but also to the All, then you will see your responsibility in this matter. This does not mean you are to become miserly. On the contrary you are to become generous. For in the last counting everything belongs to Mother Nature. We are only her stewards and our task is to use her possessions wisely and co-operatively.
-- Notebooks Category 20: What Is Philosophy? > Chapter 3 : Its Requirements > # 130
