The first rule (to Peace of Mind, Serenity) is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter … a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.
—Henri Matisse (1869–1954) French Painter, Sculptor, Lithographer
This is a sane, wholesome, practical, working faith: That it is a man’s business to do the will of God; second, that God himself takes on the care of that man; and third, that therefore that man ought never to be afraid of anything.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
I think that the ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery.
—Luis Barragan (1902–88) Mexican Engineer, Architect
I’ve got to have a place where I can find peace of mind.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
The only peace, the only security, is in fulfillment.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
But real action is in silent moments. The epochs of our life are not in the visible facts of our choice of a calling, our marriage, our acquisition of an office, and the like, but in a silent thought by the wayside as we walk; in a thought which revises our entire manner of life, and says, – “Thus hast thou done, but it were better thus.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State
The mind is never right but when it is at peace within itself; the soul is in heaven even while it is in the flesh, if it be purged of its natural corruptions, and taken up with divine thoughts and contemplations.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Paradise is Where I Am.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.
—Wayne Dyer (b.1940) American Motivational Writer, Author, Motivational Speaker
Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
The quest for this unwearied peace is constant and universal. Probe deeply into the teaching of Buddha, Maimonides, or a Kempis, and you will discover that they base their diverse doctrines on the foundation of a large spiritual serenity. Analyze the prayers of troubled, overborne mankind of all creeds, in every age—and their petitions come down to the irreducible common denominators of daily bread and inward peace. Grown men do not pray for vain trifles. When they lift up their hearts and voices in the valley of tears they ask for strength and courage and understanding.
—Joshua L. Liebman (1907–48) American Jewish Rabbi, Author
He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.
—Meister Eckhart (c.1260–1327) German Christian Mystic
There is in stillness oft a magic power
To calm the breast when struggling passions lower,
Touched by its influence, in the soul arise
Diviner feelings, kindred with the skies.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Tranquility is the old man’s milk.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Peace of mind comes from not wanting to change others.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
I have always preferred cheerfulness to mirth. The former is an act, the latter a habit of the mind. Mirth is short and transient; cheerfulness, fixed and permanent. Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and glitters for a moment. Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, filling it with a steady and perpetual serenity.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
If there is to be any peace it will come through being, not having.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
In struggling against anguish one never produces serenity; the struggle against anguish only produces new forms of anguish.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Like water, we are truest to our nature in repose.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
—Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) German-born Swiss Novelist, Poet
Perhaps, after all, our best thoughts come when we are alone. It is good to listen, not to voices but to the wind blowing, to the brook running cool over polished stones, to bees drowsy with the weight of pollen. If we attend to the music of the earth, we reach serenity. And then, in some unexplained way, we share it with others.
—Gladys Taber
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict.
—Unknown
I am searching for that which every man seeks—peace and rest.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
The serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-restraint, and the purity of mind are called the austerity of thought.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We all have within us a center of stillness surrounded by silence.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
Every goal, every action, every thought, every feeling one experiences, whether it be consciously or unconsciously known, is an attempt to increase one’s level of peace of mind.
—Sidney Madwed (1926–2013) American Poet, Author
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.
—Anonymous
The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves constant ease and serenity within us; and more than countervails all the calamities and afflictions which can befall us from without.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Peace of mind is that mental condition in which you have accepted the worst.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
It takes more distress and poison to kill someone who has Peace of Mind, Serenity and loves life.
—Bernie S. Siegel (b.1932) American Physician, Writer
Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
—Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) American Christian Theologian
Despair is the damp of hell, as joy is the serenity of heaven.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
When winds are raging o’er the upper ocean
And billows wild contend with angry roar,
‘Tis said, far down beneath the wild commotion
That peaceful stillness reigneth evermore.
Far, far beneath, the noise of tempests dieth
And silver waves chime ever peacefully,
And no rude storm, how fierce soe’er it flyeth
Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author
For those who wish to climb the mountain of spiritual awareness, the path is selfless work. For those who have attained the summit of union with the Lord, the path is stillness and peace.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
Smiling always with a never fading serenity of countenance, and flourishing in an immortal youth.
—Isaac Barrow
There may be those on earth who dress better or eat better, but those who enjoy the peace of God sleep better.
—Thomas L. Holdcroft
What all men are really after is some form, or perhaps only some formula, of peace.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
I am part of the sun as my eye is part of me, That I am part of the earth my feet know perfectly, and my blood is part of the sea… There is nothing of me that is alone and absolute, except my mind, and we shall find that the mind has no existence by itself, it is only the glitter of the sun on the surface of the waters.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
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