Always do one thing less than you think you can do.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
We shall be made truly wise if we be made content; content, too, not only with what we can understand, but content with what we do not understand-the habit of mind which theologians call, and rightly, faith in God.
—Charles Kingsley (1819–75) English Clergyman, Academic, Historian, Novelist
Nobody got anywhere in the world by simply being content.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
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
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-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization.
—Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926) American Socialist, Union Leader
My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Contentment is, after all, simply refined indolence.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
The great menace to the life of an industry is industrial self-complacency.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
I don’t want to own anything that won’t fit into my coffin.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Humorist, Radio Personality
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
Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
My God, give me neither poverty nor riches, but whatsoever it may be thy will to give, give me, with it, a heart that knows humbly to acquiesce in what is thy will.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment.
—Doug Larson (1926–2017) American Columnist
The fountain of content must spring up in the mind; and he who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts, and multiply the griefs which he proposes to remove.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, 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
The noblest mind the best contentent has.
—Edmund Spenser (1552–99) English Poet
People are never free of trying to be content.
—Murray Bookchin (1921–2006) Social Ecologist, Anarchist, Trade-Union Organizer
I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
—Hebrew Proverb
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
I am content with what I have, little be it, or much.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
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
All our discontents spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.
—Daniel Defoe (1659–1731) English Writer, Journalist, Pamphleteer