What is the earliest known manifestation of anti-consumerism?

by [deleted]

[deleted]

fishoil123

I'm sure it's not the earliest, but Thorstein Veblens critique of "conspicuous consumption" The Theory of the Leisure Class was one of the first works which criticized consumer culture.

"In order to gain and to hold the esteem of men it is not sufficient merely to possess wealth or power. The wealth or power must be put in evidence, for esteem is awarded only on evidence."