What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
—Adam Smith (1723–90) Scottish Philosopher, Economist
God intends no man to live in this world without working, but it seems to me no less evident that He intends every man to be happy in his work.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
A man’s as miserable as he thinks he is.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men-above all for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received. My peace of mind is often troubled by the depressing sense that I have borrowed too heavily from the work of other men.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Happiness… is not a destination: it is a manner of traveling. Happiness is not an end in itself. It is a by-product of working, playing, loving and living.
—Haim Ginott
The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
The smallest annoyances, disturb us the most.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
You can make yourself happy or miserable – it’s the same amount of effort.
—Ray Bradbury (b.1920) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
True happiness must arise from well-regulated affections, and an affection includes a duty.
—Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) English Writer, Feminist
Happiness is a ball after which we run wherever it rolls, and we push it with our feet when it stops.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The consideration that human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected will always continue to prompt me to promote the former by inculcating the practice of the latter.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
Hope is the second soul of the unhappy.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The happiest people are those who are too busy to notice whether they are or not.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Of all created comforts, God is the lender; you are the borrower, not the owner.
—Samuel Rutherford (1600–61) Scottish Presbyterian Theologian, Author
We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want suffering. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one’s own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
When we are happy we are always good, but when we are good we are not always happy.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy.
—Samuel Goldwyn (1879–1974) Polish-born American Film Producer, Businessperson
Those who take up any subject with an open mind, willing to learn anything that will contribute to their advancement, comfort and happiness, are wise.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you’re being miserable.
—Clare Boothe Luce (1903–87) American Playwright, Diplomat, Journalist, Diplomat, Elected Rep
Happiness is a how, not a what: a talent, not an object
—Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) German-born Swiss Novelist, Poet
Fate often puts all the material for happiness and prosperity into a man’s hands just to see how miserable he can make himself with them.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving; make every day a holiday and celebrate just living.
—Amanda Bradley American Poet
Those who are unhappy have no need for anything in this world but people capable of giving them their attention.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?
—Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) American Cartoonist, Writer, Artist
Cheerfulness is as natural to the heart of a man in strong health, as color to his cheek; and wherever there is habitual gloom, there must be either bad air, unwholesome food, improperly severe labor, or erring habits of life.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Happiness is a mystery like religion, and it should never be rationalized.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
If thou wouldst be happy… have an indifference for more than what is sufficient.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
A good way I know to find happiness, is to not bore a hole to fit the plug.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Happiness is like crystal—when it shines the most, it soon cracks.
—Turkish Proverb
Planning for happiness is rarely successful. Happiness just happens.
—Robert Half