Happiness (as the mathematicians might say) lies on a curve, and we approach it only by asymptote.
—Christopher Morley, 1919Quotes
Happiness is no laughing matter.
—Richard Whately, 1843Happiness does not dwell in herds, nor yet in gold.
—Democritus, c. 420 BCHow sad a sight is human happiness to those whose thoughts can pierce beyond an hour!
—Edward Young, 1741There is no greater disaster than not to know contentment.
—Laozi, c. 550 BCThe happiness of society is the end of government.
—John Adams, 1776How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive of all they do.
—William James, 1902We must select the illusion which appeals to our temperament and embrace it with passion if we want to be happy.
—Cyril Connolly, 1944O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes.
—William Shakespeare, c. 1599I have given up considering happiness as relevant.
—Edward Gorey, 1974There will always be a lost dog somewhere that will prevent me from being happy.
—Jean Anouilh, 1934A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.
—Jane Austen, 1814One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.
—Iris Murdoch, 1978