To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
There is a sense in which a man looking at the present in the light of the future, and taking his whole being into account, may be contented with his lot: that is Christian contentment.—But if a man has come to that point where he is so content that he says, “I do not want to know any more, or do any more, or be any more,” he is in a state in which he ought to be changed into a mummy!—Of all hideous things a mummy is the most hideous; and of mummies, the most hideous are those that are running about the streets and talking.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Whether happiness may come or not, one should try and prepare one’s self to do without it.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment.
—Doug Larson (1926–2017) American Columnist
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won’t have to hunt for happiness.
—William Ewart Gladstone (1809–98) English Liberal Statesman, Prime Minister
If the principles of contentment are not within us, the height of station and worldly grandeur will as soon add a cubit to a man’s stature as to his happiness.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist ascribes to what he calls the philosopher’s stone; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire of them. If it cannot remove the disquietudes arising from a man’s mind, body, or fortune, it makes him easy under them.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Submission is the only reasoning between a creature and its maker and contentment in his will is the best remedy we can apply to misfortunes.
—William Temple (1881–1944) English Theologian, Archbishop
I look back on my life like a good day’s work; it is done and I am satisfied with it.
—Grandma Moses (1860–1961) American Painter, Artist
Nobody got anywhere in the world by simply being content.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
It is much easier in many ways for me-and for other Presidents, I think, who felt the same way-when Congress is not in town.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
If you are but content you have enough to live upon with comfort.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
Yes, there is a Nirvanah; it is in leading your sheep to a green pasture, and in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your poem.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
If the book is good, is about something that you know, and is truly written, and reading it over you see that this is so, you can let the boys yip and the noise will have that pleasant sound coyotes make on a very cold night when they are out in the snow and you are in your own cabin that you have built or paid for with your work.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
A man who finds no satisfaction in himself, seeks for it in vain elsewhere.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
He that is never satisfied with anything, satisfies no one.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
Being “contented” ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being content with an attic ought not to mean being unable to move from it and resigned to living in it; it ought to mean appreciating all there is in such a position.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
One should be either sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.
—Eugene O’Neill (1888–1953) American Playwright
Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization.
—Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926) American Labor Leader, Socialist
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world; and if, in the present life, his happiness arises from the subduing of his desires, it will arise in the next from the gratification of them.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
You traverse the world in search of happiness, which is within the reach of every man. A contented mind confers it on all.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
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
Great is he who enjoys his earthenware as if it were plate, and not less great is the man to whom all his plate is no more than earthenware.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Contentment does not consist in heaping up more fuel, but in taking away some fire.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
An ounce of cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to serve God with.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The greatest wealth is to live content with little, for there is never want where the mind is satisfied.
—Lucretius (c.99–55 BCE) Roman Epicurean Poet, Philosopher
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