23 quotes about happiness that will lift your spirits.

Happiness quotes to lift your spirits

What is true happiness in life?

It’s certainly a question pondered by all of the greatest minds. Happiness and the meaning of life are the two biggest questions humans have asked over the centuries, and not surprisingly they are certainly connected.

The dictionary doesn’t give us many clues. Happiness is the ‘state of being happy’. Hmmm… ok. But what is this mystical state of being happy?

The meaning of happiness.

According to Very Well Mind, “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction.”  

Oliver Enne notes in this documentary about why Denmark and Finland are happier than the U.S., that in Denmark they have two words for happiness. Lykke, which is the elusive thing you experience only occasionally, and glad (similar to English) is an everyday joy, for no particular reason.

Just a good day.

He even describes ‘glad’ as a mindset.

This video on YouTube asks random people “what is happiness?” And probably the most accurate answer is this – “I’ve learnt that happiness doesn’t really have a definition. Some might say it’s family, some might say it’s friends…”

Much like all the big questions in life, if there was one definitive answer, we would probably all know it. Right? But there is only thoughts, suggestions, opinions and different ways to look at it.

It’s the secret of being human being, it’s the being part.

Perhaps the greatest answer is the one that helps you find happiness within yourself. Check out this collection of 23 thought-provoking quotes about happiness below and see if one speaks louder than the others to you.

Happiness quote - If I could describe happiness to you I wouldn't use words.

Happiness Quotes


The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.

William Morris

If I could describe happiness to you, I wouldn’t choose words.

Alexandra Vasiliu

Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.

Aristotle
Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. Aristotle

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

Dalai Lama

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.

Socrates

The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy. It’s all that matters.

Audrey Hepburn

Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.

Mandy Hale

Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadow will fall behind you.

Walt Whitman

There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.

Buddha
Happiness quote - There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

Thich Nhat Hanh

If you want to be happy, be.

Leo Tolstoy

Happiness is an inside job.

William Arthur Ward

Happiness does not consist of having what you want, but in wanting what you have.

Confucius

Being happy never goes out of style.

Lilly Pulitzer

Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.

Elbert Hubbard
Happiness is a habit - cultivate it.

There is only one happiness in life. To love and be loved.

George Sand

Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.

Democritus

Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose.

C.S. Lewis

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.

Abraham Lincoln

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13

Happiness is a place between too much and too little.

Finnish Proverb

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise man grows it under his feet.

James Oppenheim

Did any of these happiness quotes make your heart smile? Did one in particular speak to you? Or do you have your own favourite quote? Let me know in the comments below!

Want to read more? Dive deeper into finding your happiness here.

Today is the perfect day to be happy! 🙂

2 Comments

  1. Babett on April 9, 2021 at 7:36 am

    Great quotes. Thank you for sharing them.

    • Francesca on April 20, 2021 at 9:09 am

      Thanks! Hope they made you smile. 🙂

Leave a Comment