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
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Happiness
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“I thank the goodness and the grace Which on my birth have smiled, And made me in these Christian days, A happy English child.”
Jane Taylor (1783–1824) first seen 1810 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jane Taylor, "A Child's Hymn of Praise," from Hymns for Infant Minds (1810)
Also quoted by: Ann Taylor (poet) (misattributed)
“If you are not happy here and now, you never will be.”
Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982) said by 1982 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Book of Positive Quotations (2007) by John Cook, Steve Deger and Leslie Ann Gibson, p. 279
“All in the world I have is yours; Next to God, you are the one I love best, and if I did not know that your love for me is the same, I could not be so happy as I am: May God give us both the grace to live always in this affection without any guile.”
William the Silent (1533–1584) first seen 1558 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To his first wife while she was dying (1558), as quoted William the Silent (1897) by Frederic Harrison, p. 28
“We may see how miraculously God defends our people, and makes us hope that, in spite of the malice of our enemies, He will bring our cause to a good and happy end, to the advancement of His glory and the deliverance of so many Christians from unjust oppression.”
William the Silent (1533–1584) first seen 1572 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his second invasion of the Netherlands, to his brother John (1572), as quoted in William the Silent (1897) by Frederic Harrison, p. 62
“Because we don't want the first bit of sad, we put it away with phone,*beep*, for the food, you get a little fell kind of. You're never feel completely sad or completely happy, just feel kind of satisfied with your product. And then you die.”
Louis C.K. (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I decided that I would only be six qualities: happy, funny, loving, cooperative, creative and thoughtful.”
Patch Adams (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’m gay. I just didn’t think it was anybody’s business … All I wanted was to be straight so my parents could be happy. They never, never, never knew.”
Maurice Sendak (1928–2012) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Concerns Beyond Just Where the Wild Things Are" by Patricia Cohen in The New York Times (9 September 2008)
“Twenty-five years ago I couldn't walk down the street without being recognized. Now I can put a cap on, walk anywhere and no one pays me any attention. They don't ask me about my movies and they don't ask me about my salad dressing because they don't know who I am. Am I happy about this? You bet.”
Paul Newman (1925–2008) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in Geoff Pevere, "Getting noticed: the spooky side of celebrity," toronto.com (10 August 2007)
“White sail upon the ocean verge, Just crimsoned by the setting sun, Thou hast thy port beyond the surge, Thy happy homeward course to run And winged hope, with heart of fire, To gain the bliss of thy desire.”
William Winter (author) first seen 1919 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Arthur, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“I can't make people change, and I can't change myself. I can't change the political climate, or fix the myriad problems of the world, or make anyone else happy. When I think about these things, I feel impotent and sad. When I don't think about them, I am running away from the truth. Either way I lose.”
John S. Hall (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment, just very, very happy to win this title. For me, it is a dream to play in this tournament. But to win, I never imagined something like this.”
Rafael Nadal (born 1986) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: After beating five time champion Roger Federer in the 2008 Men's Wimbledon Final
“Oh would I were a boy again, When life seemed formed of sunny years, And all the heart then knew of pain Was wept away in transient tears! When every tale Hope whispered then, My fancy deemed was only truth. Oh, would that I could know again, The happy visions of my youth.”
Mark Lemon (1809–1870) said by 1870 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Oh would I were a Boy again, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS All!”
Christopher McCandless (1968–1992) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Final written goodbye, August 13, 1992
“And I think that that’s one of the best things you can give somebody – the chance to show them what it feels like to make other people get excited and happy.”
Randy Pausch (1960–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The nursery of brooding Pelicans, The dormitory of their dead, had vanish'd, And all the minor spots of rock and verdure, The abodes of happy millions, were no more.”
James Montgomery (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You have been a very foolish boy, wasting your time dreaming of impossible things when you speak of Mr. Pontellier setting me free! I am no longer one of Mr. Pontelliere's possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose. If he were to say, 'here Robert, take her and be happy; she is yours,' I should laugh at you both”
Kate Chopin (1850–1904) said by 1904 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“By a kind of happy pre-established harmony, such as a later age discovered between the needs of society and the self-interest of the individual, success in business is in itself almost a sign of spiritual grace, for it is a proof that a man has laboured faithfully in his vocation.”
R. H. Tawney (1880–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The happy-go-lucky barefoot kid who loved rugby, ice-cream-and-hot-chocolate sauce, staying at home for a braai and the flieks grew up into an international rugby player, idol of millions and South African cult figure...”
Jani Allan (1952–2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It isn’t dying that’s sad. It’s living when you’re not happy.”
Octave Mirbeau (1848–1917) said by 1917 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'll just have them change the entry in the demonology textbook from 'almost extinct' to 'not extinct enough for Alec. He prefers his monsters really, really extinct.' Will that make you happy?”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I prefer Buddhism because it gives three principles in combination, which no other religion does. Buddhism teaches prajna (understanding as against superstition and supernaturalism), karuna (love), and samara (equality). This is what man wants for a good and happy life. Neither god nor soul can save society.”
B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956) first seen 1956 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why I like Buddhism and how it is useful to the world in its present circumstances", BBC (May 1956). As quoted in "Why Dr. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism?
“Some people might say my life is in a rut, but I'm quite happy with what I've got.”
Paul Weller (singer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sharing instructions about how to perform better for others is very different than sharing feelings about life experiences that make us happy or sad.”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Men’s pay paid women to love and nurture, to connect and feel. To be nurturer-connectors. In contrast, men received their pay by being some form of killer-protector. By becoming a human doing (a captain or a coal miner), not a human being (a person who feels happy or sad).”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If there is one quality that I find is more essential to a successful and happy life than any other, it is empathy. It is at the core of family stability and love. I’ve never had a couple come to me and say, “I want a divorce; my partner understands me.”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But a happy marriage is less about money, children, or lack of sex than about how we communicate about money, children, or lack of sex.”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I personally was disappointed because I know I'm a lot faster than that. But I was able to do that just coming off knee surgery, so if I look at it that way, I'm happy.”
Javon Ringer (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some men abuse women, but you should never raise your hand against them. You do not know how much they bear—they are forbearance itself. If you abuse them, where shall they turn? They are aspects of the Divine Mother, and if the Mother is insulted, the Lord is displeased. Thus your well-being lies in making them happy. (p.433)”
Swami Adbhutananda (died 1920) said by 1920 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Of course the tendency had been to say, 'Let's adopt the multicultural concept and live happily side by side, and be happy to be living with each other.' But this concept has failed, and failed utterly.”
Angela Merkel (born 1954) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Angela Merkel: German Chancellor says multiculturalism is a sham by Rick Noack, 14 December 2015, ; and in Angela Merkel: Multiculturalism Is A Lie, According To 'Time Magazine's' 'Person Of The Year (Decem…
“Believe what you like. You'll be surprised how comforting it is.” “I ask no comfort,” Taran replied, “but the truth, be it harsh or happy.”
Lloyd Alexander (1924–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And so they lived many happy years, and the promised tasks were accomplished. Yet long afterward, when all had passed away into distant memory, there were many who wondered whether King Taran, Queen Eilonwy, and their companions had indeed walked the earth, or whether they had been no more than dreams in a tale set down to beguile children. And, in time, only the bards knew the truth of it.”
Lloyd Alexander (1924–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“O happy dames! that may embrace The fruit of your delight; Help to bewail the woful case, And eke the heavy plight Of me, that wonted to rejoice The fortune of my pleasant choice: Good ladies! help to fill my mourning voice.”
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1516–1547) said by 1547 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It was his hope and ambition to cause many deaths. He was an arms salesman by choice, calm and even a little happy to see his products in such demand, capable of trying to clinch a sale at the bedside of a fresh corpse.”
John Brunner (1934–1995) said by 1995 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You and your ancestors treated the world like a fucking great toilet bowl. You shat in it and boasted about the mess you’d made. And now it’s full and overflowing, and you’re fat and happy and black kids are going crazy to keep you rich. Goodbye!”
John Brunner (1934–1995) said by 1995 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Closer to showtime, the jovial crowd now arrives in droves. Laughing. Smiling. Until they hear the melodic sounds of “This Land Is Fagland,” being sung by small children. With the most vigor, even the tiniest join in, big smiles, swaying their heads like it were the Barney the Dinosaur song. The chubby, red-haired girl actually jumps while singing—she's that happy.”
Harmon Leon wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happy (if mortals can be) is the man, Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span: Reason, to its possessor a sure guide, Reason, a thorn in Revelation’s side.”
Thomas Chatterton (1752–1770) said by 1770 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Wedding after wedding after wedding and then yours - your wedding? Would that make you what they're now calling happy?”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If this be a happy new year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important, then, to feel our dependence upon Him!”
Matthew Simpson (1811–1884) said by 1884 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To Sheikh Kuttub dated 1st December 1788. I am happy finding the report you have sent. Whoever has come in your hands, all above age of twenty should be hung on trees. If they hide in nooks and corners and forests, to find them out, instruct Dilkhan to split his force in to three.”
Tipu Sultan (1751–1799) first seen 1099 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sardar K.M. Panicker, the renowned historian and political analyst has translated Tippu’s letters into Malyalam which were published in Bhasha Poshini magazine of 1099 Chingam 1st (Malayalam era) Tirur Dinesh - Moplah R…
“The Lord's visitations of distinguished favor are always to the diligent. That great men may not be ashamed of honest vocations, the greatest that have ever lived have been contented, happy, and honored while in the pursuit of humble trades.”
Elias Lyman Magoon (1810–1886) said by 1886 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Take care of him. And make him feel important. And if you can do that, you'll have a happy and wonderful marriage…Like two out of every ten couples.”
Neil Simon (1927–2018) first seen 1963 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mother, in Barefoot in the Park (1963); cited from The Collected Plays of Neil Simon (New York: New American Library, 1986) vol. 1, p. 207
“I don’t spend my time perusing message boards to find out what people think about me or if people think my songs are good or if people love that lyric or this or that. I just want to be happy with it myself — and if other people like it, that’s great.”
Ben Gibbard (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“...increasing remoteness of desires from needs. ...increasing confusion between means and ends. The ends are human needs... Instead they want the means they have been brainwashed to accept... Never was any society in human history as rich and as powerful as Western Civilization and the United States, and it is not a happy society.”
Carroll Quigley (1910–1977) said by 1977 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness. I don't think an artist can ever be happy.”
Georges Simenon (1903–1989) first seen 1955 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed in Paris Review, Summer 1955; reprinted in Malcolm Cowley (ed.) Writers at Work (New York: Viking Press, 1959) p. 146.
“A cross borne in simplicity, without the interference of self-love to augment it, is only half a cross. Suffering in this simplicity of love, we are not only happy in spile of the cross, but because of it; for love is pleased in suffering for the Well Beloved, and the cross which forms us into His image is a consoling bond of love.”
François Fénelon (1651–1715) said by 1715 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True love goes ever straight forward, not in its own strength, but esteeming itself as nothing. Then indeed we are truly happy. The cross is no longer a cross when there is no self to suffer under it.”
François Fénelon (1651–1715) said by 1715 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The happy coincidences between life’s requirements and nature’s choices of parameter-values might be just a series of flukes, but one could be forgiven for beginning to suspect that something deeper is at work. That suspicion is the first deep root of anthropic reasoning.”
Frank Wilczek (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Why should Ossian sing of battles? For never more shall my steel shine in war. I remember the days of my youth with grief, when I feel the weakness of my arm. Happy are they who fell in their youth, in the midst of their renown! They have not beheld the tombs of their friends, or failed to bend the bow of their strength.”
James Macpherson (1736–1796) said by 1796 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To believe is to be happy; to doubt is to be wretched. To believe is to be strong. Doubt cramps energy. Belief is power. Only so far as a man believes strongly, mightily, can he act cheerfully, or do any thing that is worth the doing.”
Frederick William Robertson (1816–1853) said by 1853 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happy are they who freely mingle prayer and toil till God responds to the one and rewards the other.”
Samuel I. Prime (1812–1885) said by 1885 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source