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
If all were gentle and contented as sheep, all would be as feeble and helpless.
—John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916) American Catholic Clergyman, Educator, Essayist, Biographer
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) British Clergyman, Theologian
The contented man is never poor; the discontented never rich.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The great menace to the life of an industry is industrial self-complacency.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Contentment is, after all, simply refined indolence.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
All our discontents spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.
—Daniel Defoe (1659–1731) English Writer, Journalist, Pamphleteer
Contentment does not consist in heaping up more fuel, but in taking away some fire.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
He that is never satisfied with anything, satisfies no one.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
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
I’d rather be a few pounds heavier and enjoy life than be worried all the time.
—Drew Barrymore (b.1975) American Actress, Producer, Director
The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Let us believe neither half of the good people tell us of ourselves, nor half the evil they say of others.
—Jean Antoine Petit-Senn (1792–1870) Swiss Poet
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own;
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Happy is the man who can endure the highest and lowest fortune. He who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity has deprived misfortune of its power.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
If you are content, you have enough to live comfortably.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
People are never free of trying to be content.
—Murray Bookchin (1921–2006) Social Ecologist, Anarchist, Trade-Union Organizer
Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.
—Spanish Proverb
It is a great blessing to possess what one wishes, said one to an ancient philosopher.—It is a greater still, was the reply, not to desire what one does not possess.
—William Temple (1881–1944) British Clergyman, Theologian
A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
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
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
Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He who is content. Who is that? Nobody.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
One should be either sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.
—Eugene O’Neill (1888–1953) American Playwright
Content has a kindly influence on the soul of man, in respect of every being to whom he stands related. It extinguishes all murmuring, repining, and ingratitude toward that Being who has allotted us our part to act in the world. It destroys all inordinate ambition; gives sweetness to the conversation, and serenity to all the thoughts; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire of them.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer