No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer.
Thomas BrowneRead
Content may dwell in all stations. To be low but above contempt may be high enough to be happy.
Interpretation
True contentment can be found in any position in life, as long as one maintains self-respect.
This quote emphasizes that happiness is not solely derived from one's social status or external circumstances, but rather from an internal sense of contentment and self-worth. It suggests that being in a humble position, yet maintaining dignity and self-appreciation, is sufficient for true happiness.
In practice
In a motivational speech about finding happiness in everyday life, you could use this quote.
No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer.
Thus there are two books from whence I collect my Divinity; besides that written one of God, another of his servant Nature, that universal and public Manuscript, that lies expans'd unto the eyes of all; those that never saw him in the one, have discovered him in the other.
To be content with death may be better than to desire it.
Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.
The long habit of living indisposeth us for dying.
Life is a pure flame and we live by an invisible sun within us.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it... What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape... We try to cling to pleasure, but all we succeed in doing is making ourselves frustrated because, whatever it promises, pleasure simply cannot last. But if I am willing to kiss the joy as it flies, I say, "Yes, this moment is beautiful. I won't grab it. I'll let it go."
The belief that we can rely on shortcuts to happiness, joy, rapture, comfort, and ecstasy, rather than be entitled to these feelings by the exercise of personal strengths and virtues, leads to legions of people who, in the middle of great wealth, are starving spiritually.
I say to consumers: instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink.
Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on to the next endeavor.
Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.
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