23 quotes about happiness that will 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 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 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 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
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! 🙂
Great quotes. Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks! Hope they made you smile. 🙂