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 believe we should extend our care and concern to all living creatures with whom we share this planet. ... [Animals] give me a window into a world that is different from our own, but every bit as meaningful. ... I can’t imagine what life would be like without animals. They bring me happiness and a sense of calm and peace.”
Alyssa Milano (born 1972) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alyssa Milano on Pets and Best Friends", interview with Parade (24 June 2013).
“[W]hy are Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway not that far behind us, ranking in the top twelve countries for antidepressant use? Is it just the long winters? Why are their drug-related deaths booming? Isn’t it possible that a generous, far-reaching welfare state depletes people’s sense of drive, purpose, and self-respect, and enables them to explore chemical forms of happiness?”
Jim Geraghty (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Freedom is impossible. Freedom is dead. Freedom is an absolute, a divine measure, just like goodness, evil, and happiness. It is impossible to achieve it, but striving for it is the only way to come closer to peace. The task of a human is to defend the maximum possible level of freedom in the enslavement of nature.”
Mykola Ovcharov (born 1988) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Book "The Little Ethics", 2024
“True art is to create a magnificent city and fill the hearts of its people with happiness.”
Mehmed II (1432–1481) said by 1481 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness is not defined by our wealth or our status, but by how we choose to live our lives. Only when we are not entangled in the pursuit of fame and wealth will we truly be liberated. A liberated life is a life truly worth living.”
Jun Hong Lu (1959–2021) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: New World Times, (29 June 2018).
“The anti-free-speech fanatics on campuses and throughout the country have raised their hand against the idea that guarantees us life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Allen C. Guelzo (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My Friends! Happiness lies in serving the salvation of Humanity. Put aside all prejudices and, summoning your spiritual forces, aid mankind. Direct the unsightly towards the path of beauty. As the tree renews its leaves, so shall humanity flourish on the path of righteousness. (94)”
Helena Roerich (1879–1955) said by 1955 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As the bourgeoisie, by means of its capital, completely monopolizes all new inventions, every new machine, instead of shortening the hours of labor and enhancing the prosperity and happiness of all, causes, on the contrary, dismissal from employment for some, reduction of wages for others and an increased and intensified state of misery for the entire proletariat.”
Johann Most (1846–1906) said by 1906 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Succour for the poor and hungry will take pride of place, and so will end for ever a blasphemy in men’s midst: millions will know for the first time the quiet happiness of satisfied need – no more will the dying forms of the starving disgrace the screens of the affluent; no longer will men watch their brothers dying before their eyes. So will end a dark chapter in the history of the race.”
Benjamin Creme (1922–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The new energy affects everyone — Everyone is being affected by the new energy pouring into the world. Those who believed in political, religious and philosophical systems have become disillusioned because they have failed to bring peace, prosperity and happiness. You can only solve the problems of the world with a sense of realism that is not clouded by ideology or market forces.”
Benjamin Creme (1922–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Parents know perfectly well that they are giving a product of doubtful quality only for their own accomplishment and happiness; in admitting that the person may want to return it, they themselves fully realize the dubious value of the gift.”
Julio Cabrera (born 1944) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Acerca da superioridade intelectual e existencial do pessimismo sobre o otimismo (replica a Marcus Valério), 2010, p. 28
“119. Q. And what is that which is most valuable? A. To know the whole secret of man's existence and destiny, so that we may estimate at no more than their actual value this life and its relations; and so that we may live in a way to ensure the greatest happiness and the least suffering for our fellow-men and ourselves.”
Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) said by 1907 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have dedicated my life to fight against the heinous rottenness of modern capitalism because it robs the laborer of this world's goods. But blow for blow I shall strike against Communism, because it robs us of the next world's happiness.”
Charles Coughlin (1891–1979) first seen 1935 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech (1935), as cited in Micheal Kazin The Populist Persuasion: An American History, New York: Basic Book, 1995, p. 109
“There is the world for you. Beauty, true beauty, is intangible. It is in the eye of the beholder. Something that we can lose at any moment, and the more you examine it, the more illusive it becomes. True happiness is virtue, and virtue is predicated on knowledge and righteous conduct.”
Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1056–1111) said by 1111 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wish you love - and happiness I guess I wish - you all the bestI wish you don't - do like I doAnd never fall in love with someone like youCause if you fell - just like I didYou'd probably walk around the block like a little kidBut kids don't know - they can only guess...”
John Prine (1946–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To fascists, the pursuit of individual happiness must be subservient to the health and success of the race. So in a sense, traditionalism is a much more collectivistic philosophy than Communism, which only demands communal ownership of the means of production. At least in theory, Communism doesn’t tell you what gender to be, or who and how to fuck.”
Natalie Wynn (born 1988) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Contentment is...the root of all happiness.”
Swami Samarpanananda wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The love is happiness to be only a rotting cloth in the wound of a stranger.”
Doina Ruști (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I endured afflictions and sowrrow When death took Haylanah to itself. I parted from my happiness when I lost her And care not now what it may be. She was my world: and when she sank Into her grave, I parted from my world. Verily people have multiplied, but I Behold no creature after her. By Allah, I shall not forget thee As long as the wind shaketh the boughs on the upland.”
Harun al-Rashid (766–809) said by 809 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let me shatter some illusions today. We are entertainers. We are not heroes. The heroes are our freedom fighters. We do not sacrifice anything for the cause of the nation. The freedom fighters did. Don't misunderstand me, cricket is not everything. What we try to do is to bring happiness to our nation.”
Mashrafe Mortaza (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The first (trapping) thing which occurs to a mystic is that he gains the power of unveiling and miracles. He becomes haughty and self conceited upon this power due to his Nafs. He gets temporary happiness but remains away from the Closeness and Union of Allah. Though it is a virtuous act according to the creature but for The Creator it is a great veil.”
Sultan Bahu (1630–1691) said by 1691 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[...] The source of happiness in ourselves [is] greater than that which arises from objects.”
Metrodorus of Lampsacus (the younger) first seen 1869 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Attributed to Metrodorus by Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, II, 21, as translated by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, Clement of Alexandria, vol. II, in Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of…
“The happiness of the world is nothing for me for my heart is left with no feeling besides blood.”
Ghalib (1797–1869) said by 1869 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Whosoever wishes for happiness in the other life, wisdom in this world, equity in their deeds, having all moral qualities, the practice of all virtues, ought to follow in his deeds the example of Mohammed (PBUH) the Messenger of God.”
Ibn Hazm (994–1064) said by 1064 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All over the non-human world, with few exceptions, each being seeks the satisfaction of his own desires, if not with positive disregard for the happiness and misery of the rest of the universe, at least with sincere unconcern. There is no courtesy, sympathy, or amenity there—a cold, heartless, implacable world of strangers.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our own happiness, and that of our species, are assumed to be so pre-eminent that we sacrifice without hesitancy the most sacred interests of others, in order that our own may be carefully provided for.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the ideal state, man treats the races of beings affiliated with him, not as objects of pillage, but as beings with rights and feelings and capabilities of happiness and misery, like himself.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The function of punishment is to do good, to improve the universe, to add to the sum total of happiness. And punishment which does not do this is not justified. It is a crime in itself. The penal acts of society should be judged just as other acts of conduct are judged—by their utilities.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ethics is the most vital and important of all sciences. It has both its theoretical and applied aspects. Its mission is nothing less than the establishment of harmony among the inhabitants of the earth and the transformation of world-wide contention into peace and happiness.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Great evils stare us in the face that need to be throttled by the combined power of an upright manhood and an enlightened womanhood; and I know that no nation can gain its full measure of enlightenment and happiness if one-half of it is free and the other half is fettered.”
Frances Harper (1825–1911) said by 1911 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A man finds happiness so fleetingly, like the petals melting off a prairie rose. Even as you touch that feeling it dries up, leaving only the dust of that emotion, a powder of hope. (chapter 9, p99)”
Louise Erdrich (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Speaking out cost me my job, my marriage and my happiness at the time, but it also helped save the lives of thousands and thousands of people.”
Shuping Wang (1959–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“remembrance and that happiness are mourning, too, transformed.”
Maxine Hong Kingston (born 1940) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Before that she hadn’t realized how fragile happiness was, how if you were careless, you could knock it over and shatter it. (p273)”
Celeste Ng (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Quitting leads to much less happiness in life than perseverance and hope.”
Linda Sue Park (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To young people, I would like to say: Stay calm when things are hard or not going right with you. You will get through it when you persevere instead of quitting. Quitting leads to much less happiness in life than perseverance and hope. Salva Dut Rochester, New York 2010”
Linda Sue Park (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Stay calm when things are hard or not going right with you. You will get through it when you persevere instead of quitting. Quitting leads to much less happiness in life than perseverance and hope.”
Linda Sue Park (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“An uneducated person has little chance of happiness.”
Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The young wife soon learns that the husband in whose hands she has placed her happiness pays no regard to his marriage vows. Children of every shade of complexion play with her own fair babies, and too well she knows that they are born unto him of his own household. Jealousy and hatred enter the flowery home, and it is ravaged of its loveliness.”
Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was very young, and those events affected me deeply. I feel the time given to me doesn't belong only to me. In everything – my writing, my travelling, my happiness – I live partly on behalf of those who weren't able to survive. I feel I'm living their share of life.”
Kyung-sook Shin (born 1963) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On being a survivor in “Kyung-Sook Shin: 'In my 20s I lived through an era of terrible political events and suspicious deaths'” in The Guardian (2014 Jun 7)
“Anansi is the god of stories - I’m telling Anansi my story. I remember my aunt telling me some Anansi stories when I was 9 or 10, but I didn’t take them in. In my 20s, I bought loads of Anansi books. History, folklore, and culture gives you pride and happiness through a sense of connection.”
Derek Owusu (born 1988) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On giving his book That Reminds Me folkloric elements in “Derek Owusu: ‘Mental health issues that people find scary aren’t being talked about’” in The Guardian (2019 Nov 2)
“The woman, who does not imitate her mother and her grandmother as a mother and a good wife, can only rely on her own scale of values to find a life ideal that is important to her happiness.”
Doris Veillette (1935–2019) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chronicle "Interdit aux hommes" (Forbidden to men), by Doris Veillette-Hamel, Journal Le Nouvelliste, March 24, 1973, page 17.
“Forget what hurt you, it's a recipe for youth, health and happiness ...”
Doris Veillette (1935–2019) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chronicle "Interdit aux hommes" (Forbidden to men), by Doris Veillette-Hamel, Journal Le Nouvelliste, Sept. 21, 1974, page 25.
“our sense of self is an activity, a strategy for avoiding suffering, for maximizing happiness.”
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is one of our Theosophical duties to show men the way to wisdom, to peace, to happiness, to strength, and to spiritual power - the real powers, the powers which are safe and clean and sweet, which make a man lovable, which make him compassionate, which guarantee that power put into his hands will be wielded never for self but always in order to benefit others.”
Gottfried de Purucker (1874–1942) said by 1942 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness isn’t having something for yourself but wanting it for everyone.”
Ron English (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Religion has had the disastrous effect of placing vitally important concepts, such as morality, happiness and love, in a supernatural realm inaccessible to man’s mind and knowledge.”
George H. Smith (1949–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[T]he value of relieving suffering is […] prior to the value of providing additional happiness to the well-off.”
Clark Wolf (born 1962) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Person-Affecting Utilitarianism and Population Policy" (1997)
“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.”
Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born 1955) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in story of a king, a poor country, and a rich idea. Business Bhutan, Tashi Dorji (15 June 2012).
“Ukraine will continue to defend itself and will win in this war waged against us. Because we are on our land. The truth is on our side. And the whole civilized world is with us. We are fighting for what is true for any people on the planet - for life and freedom, for the right to happiness for all our families, for all our children.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (born 1978) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the indigenous peoples of Russia: Fight to avoid death, defend your freedom in the streets and squares" (29 September 2022