I am reading a book called The Brothers K.

Hell of a book!

Anyway, the author describes a character (Peter) in the book who renounces earthly pleasures to live a scholarly, monastic life with few possessions. This character focuses on inner work and spiritual development.

But the author explains that the character likes reading and studying. The character also enjoys meditation and living simply. The character never cared much anyway for possessions. So he asked of the character, is living this way such a virtue?

Then he compared that character to another character (Irwin) -- one who loved food and women. And said said, if Irwin gave up these things that he really, really likes, now that would be a virtuous act.

So it is virtuous if you are just inclined that way?
Is simple living a virtue if you are simply quite inclined to live simply by your very nature?