Sign in with your pod

Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide

EnglishItalianoPolskiעבריתFrançaisPortuguêsفارسیEspañol中文РусскийDeutschالعربيةहिन्दी日本語ΕλληνικάLatinaNederlands

Happiness

LoveFriendshipHappinessHopeFearCourageDeathLifeTimeWarPeaceFreedomTruthWisdomKnowledgeScienceArtMusicNatureMoneyWorkPowerGodBeautyLaughterFamilySuccess and failureChangeDreamsBooks and reading

• “I have the happiness to be lodged with a Gentleman who is justly esteemed by all his Brethren, who has extensive practice both as a Physician & Surgeon & tho no Doctor himself, yet the oldest of them are not ashamed to consult with him in private. Besides this he is my intimate & familiar Friend & is willing upon every occasion to teach me as far as he knows himself.”

  Joseph Black (1728–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts.”

  Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness.”

  Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The cultured give happiness wherever they go. The uncultured whenever they go.”

  Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Happiness depends on what you can give, Not on what you can get.”

  Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.”

  Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “In dependence, there is no happiness, even in a dream.”

  Tulsidas (1511–1623) said by 1623 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “You must awake others and make them arise and be alert. If you are always alert, this will be of great benefit to you. You will achieve happiness and you will be saved from the calamities, which are coming very soon.”

  Haidakhan Babaji (2000–1984) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: 27 March 1983.

• “(…). Everyone should be able to stand on his/her feet. The problems of all countries can be solved when everyone becomes hard working. As long as there is laziness in the world, people cannot attain happiness.”

  Haidakhan Babaji (2000–1984) said by 1984 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Only let them not desire to impose their own form of bliss on everybody else, nor insist that the kind of happiness which seems to them at this stage the only one desirable and satisfying, must be stereotyped to all eternity, through all the millions of years that lie before us.”

  Annie Besant (1847–1933) said by 1933 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “For a persistent and continued ascent to [the Principle and Source of] life is the constituent element of increased happiness.”

  Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464) said by 1464 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “If you do not have the capacity for happiness with a little money, great wealth will not bring it to you.”

  William Feather (1889–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “This is the type of show I love, because it reminds me of what happiness I have with my wife and our children.”

  Brian Keith (1921–1997) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Brian Keith in 1969 on playing the role of an onscreen uncle, as he played the role of a real-life father

• “Happiness: The art of living happily is to forget the past which no longer exists, not to be worried about the future which has not come yet, and to live the present movement mindfully and wisely. All we have is here and now.”

  Thích Nhật Từ (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Transformation: Compassion and loving kindness can transform an enemy into a friend, while right view and wisdom can transform suffering into happiness.”

  Thích Nhật Từ (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Happiness is the feeling we experience when we are too busy to be miserable.”

  Thomas Lansing Masson (1866–1934) first seen 1901 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Tom Masson in: The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Vol. 61 (1901). p. 319.

• “I’ve always had a tendency, since my early childhood, to design the world not through society, but through a cosmic truth. I believe that our existence is first cosmic, then biological and then social. Unfortunately, so much importance is placed on our social life that it hides this fact. I think that people feel social pressure and understand that these systems, currently prevent happiness.”

  Vangelis (1943–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Until my dying day I will look back with pride that I found the courage to come face to face in battle against the spectre which for time immemorial has been injecting poison into me and into men of my nature. Many have been driven to suicide because all their happiness in life was tainted. Indeed, I am proud that I found the courage to deal the initial blow to the hydra of public contempt.”

  Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (1825–1895) said by 1895 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Quoted in: Keith Stern (2013), Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals. p. 460

• “[T]he sciences always studied with keenest interest are those in a state of progress and uncertainty: absolute certainty and absolute completion would be the paralysis of any study; and the last worst calamity that could befall man... would be that full and final possession of speculative truth, which he now vainly anticipates as the consummation of his intellectual happiness.”

  Sir William Hamilton, 9th Baronet (1788–1856) said by 1856 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The message of India to our neighbourhood and to the rest of the world has been and will be peace, friendship and cooperation. Our commitment from time immemorial has been: May All secure happiness May all enjoy good health May all experiences goodness around them Let none be in pain or sorrow.”

  Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918–1999) said by 1999 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “They wait in clutching haste for fate to fill the inside straight of their happiness.”

  George Alec Effinger (1947–2002) said by 2002 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “There is within each of us a "life-instinct," which is forever working toward health, happiness, and all that makes for more life for the individual.”

  Maxwell Maltz (1889–1975) said by 1975 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “People say money is not the key to happiness, but I've always figured if you have enough money you can get a key made.”

  Joan Rivers (1933–2014) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: As quoted in Seriously Funny (2009), by G. Nachman, p. 606

• “Security is a thing to be earned rather than bestowed. It should be the reward of adventure and effort.... So our education, if it is to inspire our youth to face life with courage and happiness, must concern itself with the ideals of duty and service rather than with securing an easy shelter from all risks.”

  Hugh Macmillan, Baron Macmillan (1873–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The consciousness of a mind disposed to contribute to the happiness of the minutest being … shall afford you a much greater and more heartfelt satisfaction than to be clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day.”

  Joseph Ritson (1752–1803) said by 1803 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “I must admit that I am not a member of the ugly school. I have a great regard for certain notions of beauty even though to some it is an old fashioned idea. Some photographers think that by taking pictures of human misery, they are addressing a serious problem. I do not think that misery is more profound than happiness.”

  Saul Leiter (1923–2013) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: As quoted in Saul Leiter (2008) by Agnès Sire

• “People are often mistaken about what is good for the health of their bodies. That is why we have doctors. And people are just as likely to be mistaken about what will be good for the happiness of their souls. That is why we have moralists.”

  Walter Terence Stace (1886–1967) said by 1967 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “A man practicing Dharma, Artha and Kama enjoys happiness both in this world and in the world to come.”

  Vātsyāyana (500–500) said by 500 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “In today's world, technological and medical advances have prolonged the human lifespan. However, such advances have also led to increasing estrangement and apathy among people. More and more people are feeling the lack of happiness and peace in their lives.”

  Hsing Yun (1927–2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “For each new morning let there be flow of love. Let there be light of happiness in every direction.”

  Amit Ray (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Most of us have adopted a strategy to get along called satisficing, a term coined by... Herbert Simon... to describe not getting the very best option but one that was good enough. ...Satisficing is one of the foundations of productive human behavior ...we don't waste time trying to find improvements that are not going to make a significant difference in our happiness or satisfaction.”

  Daniel Levitin (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Our deep urge to evolve to a more spiritually mature level of understanding and living, and to create a social order that promotes more justice, peace, freedom, health, sanity, prosperity, sustainability, and happiness, absolutely requires us to stop viewing animals as food objects to be consumed and to shift to a plant-based way of eating.”

  Will Tuttle (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence didn't mean radical individualism. It meant the pursuit of virtue.”

  Harry V. Jaffa (1918–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Thus, whether it be wit or beauty that a man’s in love with, there are no great hopes of a lasting happiness; beauty, with all the helps of arts, is of no long date; the more it is , the sooner it decays; and he, who only or chiefly chose for beauty, will in a little time find the same reason for another choice.”

  Mary Astell (1666–1731) said by 1731 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “It seemed to me that in your arms I felt your entire youthful world. Its despotism, its egoism, its desperate thirst for happiness—all of this was in your caresses. Your love is like murder. But – I love you, Lenni.”

  Alexander Bogdanov (1873–1928) first seen 1908 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Alexander Bogdanov, ‎Loren R. Graham, ‎Richard Stites (1908/1984). Red Star: The First Bolshevik Utopia. p. 93

• “Producers nowadays want item numbers. So I have penned one for this film. Cinema is the most effective way of creating awareness and spreading social message. Through this film I would like to convey the message of happiness, humanity and harmony.”

  Kapil Sibal (born 1948) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: On composing the lyrics for a song for a film, as quoted in Kapil Sibal pens item number for Bollywood film, The Times of India (10 May 2015)

• “Even if we can never quantify [satisfaction or happiness]... as precisely as we currently quantify GNP,... perhaps it is better to be vaguely right than precisely wrong.”

  Herman E. Daly (1938–2022) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Herman E. Daly and Joshua Farley, in Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications. (2003), page 234. quoted in Beyond GDP Measuring progress, true wealth, and the well-being of nations, European Commission:Environm…

• “3. Teach people to care about each other An excellent way to promote cooperation in a society is to teach people to care about the welfare of others. Parents and schools devote a tremendous effort to teaching the young to value the happiness of others.”

  Robert Axelrod (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Happiness rarely leads us to intellectual adventures. Writers and artists, not to mention philosophers, are usually dissatisfied with themselves or the world.”

  Albert Caraco (1919–1971) said by 1971 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: L’Âge d’Homme, Lausanne (1975), p. 69

• “You can allow any real—or merely perceived—flaw to diminish your happiness.”

  Dennis Prager (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Happiness is a moral obligation.”

  Dennis Prager (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Everything worthwhile in life is attained through hard work. Happiness is not an exception.”

  Dennis Prager (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Mind you, I don’t know why people get so fixated on happiness, which always eludes them, when there are so many other invigorating experiences available, like rage, jealousy, disgust, and so forth.”

  Edward St. Aubyn (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “The compassionate heart of his majesty finds no pleasure in cruelties or in causing sorrow to others; he is ever sparing of the lives of his subjects, wishing to bestow happiness upon all.”

  Akbar (1542–1605) said by 1605 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl. quoted from Lal, K. S. (1999). Theory and practice of Muslim state in India. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan. Chapter 2

  Also quoted by: Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak

• “Every age has its happiness and troubles.”

  Jeanne Calment (1875–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “What is the worth of any thing, But for the happiness 'twill bring?”

  Richard Owen Cambridge (1717–1802) said by 1802 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Learning: A Dialogue", line 23; in The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge (1803), Miscellaneous Verses, p. 10

• “I am a sanyasi, if you make me win, I will win; otherwise will do bhajan and kirtan in temple; but today I am here to seek your votes. I am here to beg at your door, if you refuse a sanyasi, I would take away the happiness of your family and will curse you.”

  Sakshi Maharaj (born 1956) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

  Recorded in: Addressing voters while campaigning, as quoted in "‘Vote for me or I will curse you,’ warns BJP’s Sakshi Maharaj", Deccan Chronicle (12 April 2019)

• “'Success on that scale don't make for happiness. Look at Asquith. Why does he drink? I wouldn't want you to end up a drunkard like that.'”

  Susan Howatch (born 1940) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “Once wine was the means to artificial happiness; now things are much more sophisticated, and what was one of the great secrets of medicine has become the only bliss many find in this life.”

  Nick Drake (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

• “‘There is no such thing as a cheerful poem [...] Happiness writes in water, not ink.’”

  Nick Drake (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

More