Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness; no laziness; no procrastination; never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Every man rejoices twice when he has a partner in his joy. He who shares tears with us wipes them away. He divides them in two, and he who laughs with us makes the joy double.
—Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) American Catholic Theologian
My opinion is that you never find happiness until you stop looking for it.
—Zhuang Zhou (c.369–c.286 BCE) Chinese Taoist Philosopher
Joy, happiness … we do not question. They are beyond question, maybe. A matter of being. But pain forces us to think, and to make connections … to discover what has been happening to cause it. And, curiously enough, pain draws us to other human beings in a significant way, whereas joy or happiness to some extent, isolates.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings joyous tranquility.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Happiness is a way station between too little and too much.
—Channing Pollock (1880–1946) American Playwright, Critic
The subliminal mind receives and remembers all those touches that delight the soul. Our soul takes joy in this right touching by the Essence of all experience.
—Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) Indian Mystic, Philosopher, Poet
The word “happiness” would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
One thing is certain, and I have always known it—they joys of my life have nothing to do with age.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
For present joys are more to flesh and blood than a dull prospect of a distant good.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meaning can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart. Such is the moment I am presently experiencing. I experience this high and joyous moment not for myself alone but for those devotees of nonviolence who have moved so courageously against the ramparts of racial injustice and who in the process have acquired a new estimate of their own human worth. Many of them are young and cultured. Others are middle aged and middle class. The majority are poor and untutored. But they are all united in the quiet conviction that it is better to suffer in dignity than to accept segregation in humiliation. These are the real heroes of the freedom struggle: they are the noble people for whom I accept the Nobel Peace Prize.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
One joy can drive away a hundred sorrows.
—Japanese Proverb
He who enjoys good health is rich, though he knows it not.
—Italian Proverb
We lose the peace of years when we hunt after the rapture of moments.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
You can be happy if you know this secret: Some things are within your power to control and some things are not.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Tranquil pleasures last the longest; we are not fitted to bear long the burden of great joys.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
When a man has done all he can do, still there is a mighty, mysterious agency over which he needs influence to secure success. The only way he can reach it is by prayer.
—Russell Conwell (1843–1925) American Baptist Minister, Author
We ask God to forgive us for our evil thoughts and evil temper, but rarely, if ever, ask Him to forgive us for our sadness.
—Robert William Dale (1829–95) British Congregationalist, Reformer
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.
—James Oppenheim (1882–1932) American Poet, Novelist, Editor
Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Indolence is a delightful but distressing state; we must be doing something to be happy. Action is no less necessary than thought to the instinctive tendencies of the human frame.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; and after summer evermore succeeds barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold: So care and joys abound, as seasons fleet.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
Happiness is a by-product. You cannot pursue it by itself.
—Sam Levenson (1911–80) American Humorist, Writer, Teacher
To be healthy, wealthy, happy and successful in any and all areas of your life you need to be aware that you need to think healthy, wealthy, and happy and successful thoughts twenty-four hours a day and cancel all negative, destructive, fearful and unhappy thoughts. These two types of thought cannot coexist if you want to share in the abundance that surrounds us all.
—Sidney Madwed (1926–2013) American Poet, Author
The kindest thing you can do for the people you care about is to become a happy, joyous person.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Into the house where joy lives, happiness will gladly come.
—Japanese Proverb
The object of living is work, experience, and happiness. There is joy in work. All that money can do is buy us someone else’s work in exchange for our own. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
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