Better to satisfy the body than to tarnish the soul.
—Chinese Proverb
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
As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
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
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
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Satisfaction with an experience depends significantly on our expectations going into it.
—Ben Casnocha (b.1988) American Entrepreneur
Many have too much, but none enough.
—Danish Proverb
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
knowledge is hidden by selfish desire—hidden by this unquenchable fire for self-satisfaction.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness—great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
—E. O. Wilson (1929–2021) American Sociobiologist
I don’t want my friends to die for me; if they will just be polite and let me alone, I will be satisfied.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
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
True happiness is to understand our duties toward God and man; to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence on the future; not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
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
God gave us a world unfinished, so that we might share in the joys and satisfaction of creation.
—Unknown
Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
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
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
Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.
—Linus Pauling (1901–94) American Scientist, Peace Activist
Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
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
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
If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.
—Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) Swedish Inventor, Humanitarian
The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, All centuries but this, and every country but his own.
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
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
If the crow had been satisfied to eat his prey in silence, he would have had more meat and less quarreling and envy.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet