Quotes About Happiness
There are hundreds of quotes about happiness available in books and in articles throughout the Internet. Personally, from my work on my own book about happiness, The Post-College Guide to Happiness, I've learned that it isn't how many quotes you read, but truly understanding the quotes that can help you to lead a happier life. In this article, I've decided to focus on five quotes that I particularly enjoy, to explain them for those who are attempting to gain a greater understanding about happiness as a whole. Without further adieu, here are five quotes about happiness and what they mean.
Cheerfulness is what greases the axles of the world. Don't go through life creaking.
- H.W. Byles
What Byles is talking about here is attitude. People who have a cheerful attitude tend to keep the world going round. Think about it. When you go out for lunch, get someone to do your taxes or get your apartment cleaned, would you rather have it be someone who is grumpy or someone who seems to love what he or she is doing? Since you can control your own attitude for the most part, choose an optimistic and happier one than the one you're currently presenting to the world.
Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens.
- Douglas Jerrold
Jerrold is talking about the "acres of diamonds" theory with this quote. If you go out searching for jewels and treasures elsewhere, you're liable to miss the acres of riches that lie beneath your feet. This quote is also about gratitude and how it's important to appreciate what you have before you get more of something. By trusting in your own skills, believing in yourself and being thankful for what you already have, happiness is likely to come into your life from the inside out.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
- Mark Twain
I agree with Twain here wholeheartedly and have found this quote to be true in my own life. When I'm feeling particularly down, I know that it's easy to get myself back on the right side of the coin. I simply have to do my best to cheer people up and to think about how successful I've been at cheering people up through my lifetime. This cheering can come in the form of a compliment, a consolation or simply a kind sentiment. I don't know what it is about making other people smile, but your own happiness can certainly get a lot of mileage out of this concept.
Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
- Margaret Young
This is one of my favorite quotes about happiness, by far. So many people believe that if they had the body or the bank accounts of a movie star that they would be much happier. Average people believe this despite the fact that many wealthy people have had issues with addiction, divorce and even suicide. Finding out the kind of person you want to be in life is much more likely to improve your happiness levels. When you determine the type of character you wish to exhibit, you will find out more about your path in life. And a path, is much more likely to make you happy then a few extra zeroes at the end of your life savings.
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
- Joseph Addison
I love me some Joseph Addison, and he's in rare form with this quote. Addison is talking here about finding a purpose doing something that you love. Most people assume that life is a struggle, but that isn't true for those who create a life centered around doing what you love to do. In addition, he is saying that with that purpose and that love, you must create goals for yourself to take that purpose and love even further. When you make purpose, love and goals part of your everyday routine, you will have a clear shot at happiness.
Final Thoughts
Happiness is actually pretty easy to achieve, despite all of the many quotes about happiness that state otherwise. The tough part is convincing yourself that things like money, fame and material possessions don't actually bring you happiness. It's tough, because every advertisement and rich person on television are telling you the opposite of the truth. If you can successfully deflect these malicious beliefs, you will be much closer to achieving true happiness.
Did you like these quotes about happiness? Check out my new book on the subject The Post-College Guide to Happiness, which is now available in digital and paperback form.
Done with Quotes about Happiness? Go back to Motivation Techniques.
