42 Timeless Happiness Quotes From the Brightest Minds Through the Ages!

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Welcome to our exploration of happiness through the ages! In this collection, we delve into the timeless wisdom imparted by some of history’s most profound thinkers.

Each quote offers a unique lens on happiness, providing insights that are as relevant in today’s fast-paced world as they were when they were first spoken.

Join us as we uncover the secrets to joy and contentment, as told by those who have pondered what it truly means to live a fulfilled life.

 

1. “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, teaches us that happiness results from our actions and efforts, reminding us that personal agency plays a crucial role in feeling content.

 

2. “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet, highlights the futility of spending time in anger when it could be spent enjoying happiness.

3. “The only joy in the world is to begin.” — Cesare Pavese

Cesare Pavese, an influential Italian poet, and novelist, celebrates the excitement and happiness that comes from starting new ventures and making the first steps towards achieving goals.

4. “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal leader in the struggle for Indian independence, articulates the peace and happiness that arise when our thoughts, words, and actions align, creating integrity and authenticity in our lives.

5. “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” — Souza

Souza reminds us that happiness is found in the experiences along the way, not just the culmination of events.

6. “It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” — Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball, an iconic American actress and comedian, points out that realizing what brings us joy is the first crucial step towards a happier life.

7. “Happiness is not a goal…it’s a by-product of a life well-lived.”  — Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States and a human rights advocate teaches us that happiness results from living fully and authentically.

8. “The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” — Richard Bach

Richard Bach, an American writer widely known for his book ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’, underscores the importance of being present and savoring each joyful moment.

9. “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” — Aristotle

Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, emphasized that our happiness is largely determined by our own attitudes and actions.

10. “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” — Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon, known as the “Prince of Preachers,” an influential British Baptist preacher, believed that the true measure of happiness is how much joy we find in what we have.

11. “True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” — Seneca

Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist, teaches the importance of living in the moment and finding joy in the present.

12.“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Schulz

Charles M. Schulz, creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip, offers a simple yet profound truth about the joy that pets, particularly puppies, can bring into our lives.

13. “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.” — William Saroyan

William Saroyan, an American playwright and novelist, suggests that real contentment comes from understanding that happiness is not a prerequisite for a fulfilling life.

14. “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” — Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, advocates for creating happiness actively in the here and now rather than waiting for future circumstances.

15. “Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.” — Unknown

While the author is unknown, this quote captures the idea that letting go of past grievances can lead to a happier life.

16. “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” — Albert Camus

Albert Camus, a French philosopher and author, posits that true happiness comes from focusing on our own path rather than worrying excessively about others.

17. “Happiness is a state of activity.” — Aristotle

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, emphasized that happiness results from engaging actively in life’s pursuits rather than remaining passive.

18. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and a stoic philosopher, underscores the importance of maintaining a positive and healthy mindset to achieve happiness.

19. “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” — Marthe Troly-Curtin

Marthe Troly-Curtin, a relatively obscure figure best known for this quote, reminds us that moments spent in joy are never futile, even if they seem unproductive.

20. “Happiness is a how; not a what. A talent, not an object.” — Herman Hesse

Hermann Hesse, a German-born Swiss poet, novelist, and painter, explores the concept that happiness is a skill to be cultivated through the way we live, rather than something to be obtained or possessed.

21.“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.” – Mother Theresa

22. “Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” – Steve Maraboli

23. “If only we’d stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time.” – Edith Wharton

24. “Do not look for happiness outside yourself. The awakened seek happiness inside.” – Peter Deunov

25. “Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

26. “Some people call me crazy. I prefer the term happy with a twist.” – Unknown

27. “If you ever have to decide between winning a fight or being happy, choose happiness. Being happy automatically makes you a winner.”– Karen Salmansohn

28. “A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else.” – Bette Davis

29. “If you spend your whole day waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.” – Morris L. West 

30. “There are two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations.”  – Jodi Picault

31. “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Oppenheim

32. “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” – Dale Carnegie

33. “Happiness inspires productivity.” – Shawn Achor

34. “One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.” Gretchen Rubin

35. “Personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition. Your qualifications are not your life.” – J. K. Rowling

36. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Steven Kloves

37. “Don’t you think it’s better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?” – Audrey Niffenegger

38. “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” – Albert Schweitzer

39. “Some people cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go.” – Oscar Wilde

40. “Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action.” – William James

41. “Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” – Elbert Hubbard

42. “Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.” – Leo Tolstoy

 

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

We hope this journey through the insights on happiness has inspired you and brought a little more light into your day.

Each quote from our distinguished thinkers reminds us that happiness is multifaceted and deeply personal.

As we reflect on these varied perspectives, may we all find our own path to happiness that resonates with our individual lives and brings us peace and satisfaction. Remember, happiness is not just a destination but a way of traveling through life.