There are three wants which never can be satisfied: that of the rich, who wants something more; that of the sick, who wants something different; and that of the traveler, who says, “Anywhere but here.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
Human life may be regarded as a succession of frontispieces. The way to be satisfied is never to look back.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
—Unknown
God gave us a world unfinished, so that we might share in the joys and satisfaction of creation.
—Unknown
Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
—E. O. Wilson (b.1929) American Sociobiologist
He is very foolish who aims at satisfying all the world and his father.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
The chemistry of dissatisfaction is as the chemistry of some marvelously potent tar. In it are the building stones of explosives, stimulants, poisons, opiates, perfumes and stenches.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
It is books that teach us to refine our pleasures when young, and to recall them with satisfaction when we are old.
—Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) British Poet, Essayist, Journalist
In a land which is fully settled, most men must accept their local environment or try to change it by political means; only the exceptionally gifted or adventurous can leave to seek his fortune elsewhere. In America, on the other hand, to move on and make a fresh start somewhere else is still the normal reaction to dissatisfaction and failure.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
Let everything be allowed to do what it naturally does, so that its nature will be satisfied.
—Zhuang Zhou (c.369–c.286 BCE) Chinese Taoist Philosopher
There is no satisfaction in hanging a man who does not object to it.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Those who seek for much are left in want of much. Happy is he to whom God has given, with sparing hand, as much as is enough.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
No nation became great by becoming rich. Neither does a man find enduring satisfaction in life by owning something—only by becoming something.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.
—George Horace Lorimer (1867–1937) American Editor, Publisher, Philanthropist
Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim
To be able to look back upon one’s past life with satisfaction is to live twice.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
You can have peace of mind, improved health and an ever-increasing flow of energy. Life can be full of joy and satisfaction.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
We cannot be satisfied with things as they are. We cannot be satisfied to drift, to rest on our oars, to glide over a sea whose depths are shaken by subterranean upheavals.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Enough is as good as a feast.
—Anonymous
The most agreeable thing in life is worthy accomplishment. It is not possible that the idle tramp is as contented as the farmers along the road who own their own farms, and whose credit is good at the bank in town. When the tramps get together at night, they abuse the farmers, but do not get as much satisfaction out of it as do the farmers who abuse the tramps. The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants…
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Unless each day can be looked back upon by an individual as one in which he has had some fun, some joy, some real satisfaction, that day is a loss.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Only man clogs his happiness with care, destroying what is with thoughts of what may be.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A flippant, frivolous man may ridicule others, may controvert them, scorn them; but he who has any respect for himself seems to have renounced the right of thinking meanly of others.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
It is of practical value to learn to like yourself. Since you must spend so much time with yourself you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
He is rich that is satisfied.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Perhaps no sin so easily besets us as a sense of self-satisfied superiority to others.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
There is no satisfaction in any good without a companion.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The goal ever recedes from us? The greater the progress the greater the recognition of our unworthiness? Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Charm is the quality in others that makes us more satisfied with ourselves.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
the spring, the summer,
The chilling autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries; and the mazed world
By their increase, now knows not which is which.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?
—Bob Marley (1945–81) Jamaican Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Enough is better than too much.
—German Proverb
If there is dissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much the better. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, and hard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Better to satisfy the body than to tarnish the soul.
—Chinese Proverb
knowledge is hidden by selfish desire—hidden by this unquenchable fire for self-satisfaction.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
There is a great satisfaction in building good tools for other people to use.
—Freeman Dyson (1923–2020) American Theoretical Physicist, Author
There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
—James Branch Cabell (1879–1958) American Author of Fantasy Fiction
Our greatest joy and satisfaction comes from the act of giving.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
Self-satisfaction is the state of mind of those who have the happy conviction that they are not as other men.
—Margery Allingham (1904–66) English Detective-story Writer