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Happiness

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“Happiness is closer to the experience of acceptance and contentment than it is to pleasure. True happiness exists as the spacious and compassionate heart's willingness to feel whatever is present.”
Noah Levine (born 1971) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As Christopher Marlowe’s Faust learned the hard way, wishing for a moment of bliss to say “the same” indefinitely is guaranteed to procure indefinite commitment to hell instead of indefinite happiness. … A state of rest would not be a state of happiness but of boredom.”
Zygmunt Bauman (1925–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Marcus Aurelius appoints personal character and conscience the ultimate refuge of happiness-seekers: the only place where dreams of happiness, doomed to die childless and intestate anywhere else, are not bound to be frustrated.”
Zygmunt Bauman (1925–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For Socrates, virtue was nothing but its own pursuit. And only the promise of happiness is happiness itself.”
Alexander Nehamas (born 1946) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Only a Promise of Happiness: The Place of Beauty in a World of Art (2010), p. 138.
“If the aim of economics is really to provide the greatest happiness to the most people, than it is rather shocking to discover that economic growth has no net effect on happiness. So what has gone wrong with the neoclassical prospect?”
David Orrell (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Love does not always choose the same dwelling place, it makes many exploits in men here below; It has its night, its day, and its many levels: only the one who has overall happiness is content. It moves, it suffers in God, its first cause and the unique happiness of the celestial Spirits; It is there that it is always equally enraptured, by the Seraphic love which is above all things.”
John of St. Samson (1572–1636) said by 1636 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the darkness beyond distinct manner of existing, all multiplicity disappears and the spirit loses what is its own. It disappears with regard to its own activity. This is the highest goal and the 'where' beyond boundaries. In this the spirituality of all spirits ends. Here to lose oneself forever is eternal happiness. thumb|right|To lose oneself forever is eternal happiness”
Henry Suso (1295–1366) said by 1366 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Others in the pursuits after happiness or pleasure must commonly seek those sources of it which they cannot enjoy without some inconvenience to the rest of their fellow creatures; hence they have their imaginary happiness so much soured by Envy, Jealousy, or self-disapprobation that they find themselves dissappointed.”
Joseph Black (1728–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“On happiness: "For me, it’s harmony resulting from the cosmic wave, not the happiness resulting from the social wave”
Vangelis (1943–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The most signal triumphs of the Romantic portrayal of memory are not those which recall past happiness, but remembrances of those moments when future happiness still seemed possible, when hopes were not yet frustrated.”
Charles Rosen (1927–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If all of us realized that the people with whom we negatively compare our happiness are plagued by pains and demons of which we know little or nothing, we would stop comparing our happiness with others’.”
Dennis Prager (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When devotion to men with an urge for new social organization replaces devotion to men with theological illumination and a way of life pleasing to God, then the actions of the innovator and his formulations are often gauged by their significance for human happiness. Behaviour is examined through the happiness it produces, which is an empirical matter; transcendence is overcome.”
Otto Neurath (1882–1945) said by 1945 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“it seems scarcely extravagant to say that, amid all the profuse waste of the means of happiness which men commit, there is no imprudence more flagrant than that of Selfishness in the ordinary sense of the term,—that excessive concentration of attention on the individual’s own happiness which renders it impossible for him to feel any strong interest in the pleasures and pains of others.”
Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) said by 1900 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To the extent that we are free we are like God, who has no need of an idea of a God over Godself or of an incentive other than the moral law itself. But to the extent that we are also natural beings, we desire our own happiness in everything else that we desire, and we need the practical postulate of God to bring that happiness together with morality.”
John E. Hare (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just as nobody pursues happiness in order to find anything other than happiness, so nobody strives to reduce pain to reduce anything other than pain. Pain is always at the end of the track: it is the ultimate and essential badness. 'Painful' and 'bad' are synonymous in the mind of the child and, at a basic level, in all our minds.”
Richard D. Ryder (born 1940) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The weak fear happiness itself. They can harm themselves on cotton wool. Sometimes they are wounded even by happiness.”
Osamu Dazai (1909–1948) said by 1948 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But happiness is being able to hope, however faintly, for happiness. So, at least, we must believe if we are to live in the world of today.”
Osamu Dazai (1909–1948) said by 1948 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ordinarily the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is the highest and only happiness of the average man. There is no doubt a kind of momentary happiness in the anticipation, gratification and retrospection of such fleeting material pleasures, but they are illusive and temporary. According to the Buddha non-attachment is a greater bliss.”
Narada Maha Thera (1898–1983) said by 1983 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Should I rise to higher rank, this happiness can never compare to that which I enjoy in possessing you. Everything else is vastly secondary to this one great happiness. You are the greatest gift which God has bestowed on me.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1876 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From Waldersee's letter to his wife Mary Lee, after being promoted to major-general, c. August 1876, quoted in Wade James Trosclair, Alfred von Waldersee, monarchist: his private life, public image, and the limits of hi…
“Happiness of Hindus is the happiness of my family and me. The problems faced by Hindu society are our problems and its humiliation is our humiliation. Such feeling of belonging should be in every Hindu. This is the basis of Hindu Dharma.”
K. B. Hedgewar (1889–1940) said by 1940 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The moving mind looks for happiness in getting and experiencing things. These do not suffice, for, when the mind has one thing it immediately rushes after another. The still mind finds happiness in everything.”
Shantananda Saraswati (1934–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Teaching of His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati, The Study Society 2018
“Each living being of the universe, therefore, sustains to every other living being the relation of possible right and wrong, but to the insentient universe no such relation exists. Right is that relation which is conducive to happiness, or welfare, or complete living, or whatever synonym is preferred. Wrong is that which conduces to the opposite of happiness—misery, ill-fare, maladaptation.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the ideal universe the life and happiness of no being are contingent on the suffering and death of any other, and the fact that in this world of ours life and happiness have been and are to-day so commonly maintained by the infliction of misery and death by some beings on others is the most painful fact that ever entered an enlightened mind.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The end of conduct is not the happiness and welfare of oneself, or of one's family, or one's town, or one's country, or even of one's race, but the welfare and happiness of all beings, including oneself, the welfare of the world, of the universe, including the generations to come as well as the beings of the present.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Law of the Larger Self means Universal Mutualism. It means a widening and promotion of the ambitions. It means a transfer of emphasis from a Part to the Whole. Instead of striving for the happiness and well-being of a Fraction, we strive for the happiness and well-being of All.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“happiness—I have experienced happiness. It was contentment. There was a period in my life when I was very content and looked it. There's something to be said about a slightly plump person—you have just enough of too much.”
Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are convinced that we must aim for contentment and happiness. Whether we take five years or 10 to raise the per capita income and increase prosperity is not going to guarantee that happiness, which includes political stability, social harmony, and the Bhutanese culture and way of life.”
Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born 1955) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in The Modern Path to Enlightenment, by John Elliott of the Financial Times of London (2 May 1987,
“As President of the Republic of Korea, I will live up to the will of the people by achieving economic rejuvenation, the happiness of the people, and the flourishing of our culture. I will do my utmost to building a Republic of Korea that is prosperous and where happiness is felt by all Koreans.”
Park Geun-hye (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Lord (Lord Mahavira) says that if you want moksha, go to a Gnani Purush and if you want worldly happiness, then serve your parents and your guru. Endless happiness can be attained by taking care of your parents.”
Dada Bhagwan (1908–1988) said by 1988 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Enlighten Your Life Through Selfless Service (October 2007), p. 4
“The utilitarian argument for giving is straightforward: Going skiing instead of camping (or whatever) may increase your happiness, but it's nothing compared with the increase in happiness that a poor African child gains from clean water, food, and shelter. (...) Thus, says utilitarianism, you should spend that money helping desperately needy people rather than on luxuries for yourself.”
Joshua Greene (born 1974) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Joshua Greene, Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them (2013), p. 207
“When the evening is over, put your head upon my shoulder and I'll tell you something I believe is true: happiness is me and you. In a world so distorted, where the worst is best reported love may be something that will see us through Happiness is me and you.”
Gilbert O'Sullivan (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm now firm in my belief that marijuana is a key ingredient to happiness for a great number of people. What kind of person prevents another's responsible pursuit of happiness? Not a very humane one.”
Carl Hart (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every moment with love, grace, integrity, and gratitude”
Wendy Yvonne Nomathemba Luhabe (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness is believing and knowing God is in control. It is being comfortable with myself, knowing myself and making God a vital part of my life. Happiness is in knowing that God loves me and I have nothing to fear.”
Patti Boulaye (born 1954) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Patti describe what happiness means to her in 2017.
“She found the color of her sadness, the smell of her loneliness, the taste of her unhappiness. When unhappiness reaches such perfection, unhappiness becomes a form of happiness: the most jealous, indeed, the most exquisite. Trying to break such a form of unhappiness is a betrayal of happiness, a betrayal of oneself. (Mobile Fathers, p. 133)”
Alberto Savinio (1891–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Happiness is not about what we possess, but rather what we give. The gifts God has given us are not meant only to bring us satisfaction, but rather to be a blessing to others. When we share what God has given us and seek to bring Him glory, we are fulfilling His purpose for our lives; and this produces true happiness”
Abena Amoah wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes we get confused about what happiness really means. Sometimes we get confused about what path to take to get to happiness.”
Chinelo Okparanta (born 1981) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For the sake of the happiness of every child, their fathers and mothers, and for the sake of the happiness of all people in the Motherland, we pray that every person in it has enough spirit to speak well and enough intelligence to keep silent.”
Tomo Vukšić (born 1954) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Archbishop Vukšić led the Holy Mass for the Homeland (2023) Nedjelja
“It shows through in us too. Everybody runs after peace and security. That's running after the changeless. Everybody runs after freedom. That's running after the infinite, and everybody runs after happiness. We all get married and have children... and you're restricted to the pursuit of happiness, not to its attainment. It's written.”
John Dobson (amateur astronomer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have gone through four stages of happiness in life and finally I understand the meaning of happiness. The first stage is to accumulate wealth and means.”
Femi Otedola (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: hour of happiness. January 05 2023, The Guardian Newspaper.
“Naguib Sawiris Good times are not the happiness of money, but rather the happiness of the heart with certainty.”
Naguib Sawiris (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Jesus, our bliss, teaches us a path to happiness, opening up before us every day the ways to happiness that every human being longs for.”
Enzo Bianchi (1943–2026) said by 2026 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And has your marriage brought you happiness, Marian?" "I love my husband," she answered with a plaintive reproachful look, as if there had been a kind of cruelty in his straight question. "I do not suppose that there is such a thing as perfect happiness in the world.”
Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835–1915) said by 1915 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I really thought happiness had a lot to do with pleasure, and I realized that happiness is about peace.”
Jada Pinkett Smith (born 1971) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“🔹 “Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success.”
Anne Curtis (born 1985) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For me, it's your own happiness. Kahit bata, kahit matanda, puwede mag-collect. Walang age limit.” (For me, it's about your own happiness. Whether you're young or old, you can collect. There's no age limit.)”
Nadine Samonte (born 1988) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nadine Samonte finds joy in collecting of designer figure GMA, 16 January 2026.
“I was someone who sought happiness in material things, in a rather naïve way. Then I realised that happiness wasn't to be found there, and I started looking within myself...”
Catherine Spaak (1945–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Missionaries are people who have been captivated by the true love and true happiness offered by Jesus Christ. And as channels of God's grace they lead others to true happiness. Be docile to the will of God and to proclaim the Gospel.”
René Marie Albert Dupont (1929–2025) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mission Sunday with Missionaries” celebration in Seoul Cathedral. “The authentic Christian is always missionary” (28 October 2004) Fides News Agency
“There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.”
Gautama Buddha (misattributed) first seen 1948 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The source is likely to be either modern Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, or Calvinist clergyman Abraham Johannes Muste. The phrase appears in Thich Nhat Hanh's writings; but it also appears in a volume of US senate heari…
“We don't know happiness without unhappiness, gaiety without sadness, and happiness can only be felt if you don't set any conditions.”
Arthur Rubinstein (attributed) first seen 1976 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement made to a correspondent in Paris in 1976 — reported in John Callcott, United Press International (December 21, 1982) "Arthur Rubinstein, At Age 95; Concert Pianist and Bon Vivant, Boston Globe.