I am as frustrated with society as a pyromaniac in a petrified forest.
—A. Whitney Brown (b.1952) American Comedian, TV Personality
Discontents are sometimes the better part of our life.—I know not which is the most useful.—Joy I may choose for pleasure; but adversities are the best for profit; and sometimes these do so far help me, that I should, without them, want much of the joy I have.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Noble discontent is the path to heaven.
—Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823–1911) American Social Reformer, Clergyman
It is the awareness of unfulfilled desires which gives a nation the feeling that it has a mission and a destiny.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Man hath still either toys or care: But hath no root, nor to one place is tied, but ever restless and irregular, about this earth doth run and ride. He knows he hath a home, but scarce knows where; He says it is so far, that he has quite forgot how to go there
—Henry Vaughan (1621–95) Anglo-Welsh Metaphysical Poet
The discontented man finds no easy chair.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
I feel as if I were a piece in a game of chess, when my opponent says of it: That piece cannot be moved.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
One thing only has been lent to youth and age in common—discontent.
—Matthew Arnold (1822–88) English Poet, Critic
Our greatest weariness comes from work not done.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
A good man and a wise man may, at times, be angry with the world, and at times grieved for it; but no man was ever discontented with the world if he did his duty in it.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Who is not satisfied with himself will grow; who is not sure of his own correctness will learn many things.
—Chinese Proverb
Save me from impious discontent at aught thy wisdom has denied or thy goodness has lent.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Discontent is the want of self-reliance; it is infirmity of will.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The essence of man is, discontent, divine discontent; a sort of love without a beloved, the ache we feel in a member we no longer have.
—Jose Ortega y. Gasset (1883–1955) Spanish Critic, Journalist, Philosopher
Discontent is like ink poured into water, which fills the whole fountain full of blackness. It casts a cloud over the mind, and renders it more occupied about the evil which disquiets than about the means of removing it.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Poor in abundance, famished at a feast.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Let none be rich, and Poverty
Would not be thought so great a Misery.
Our discontent is from comparison;
Were better states unseen, each man would like his own.
—John Norris (1657–1712) British Priest, Philosopher
Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them ’twill despise thee and increase them.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A perverse temper, and a discontented, fretful disposition, wherever they prevail, render any state of life unhappy.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The root of all discontent is self-love.
—James Freeman Clarke (1810–88) American Unitarian Clergyman, Abolitionist, Author
If necessity is the mother of invention, discontent is the father of progress.
—David Rockefeller (1915–2017) American Businessman, Philanthropist
Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It is misery, you know, unspeakable misery for the man who lives alone and who detests sordid, casual affairs; not old enough to do without women, but not young enough to be able to go and look for one without shame!
—Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) Italian Dramatist, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Author
Leave a Reply