Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Developing a habit of happiness helps in overcoming external circumstances that might limit one's joy.
This quote by Robert Louis Stevenson emphasizes that cultivating the habit of happiness can significantly reduce the impact of external factors on a person's emotional state. By fostering a positive mindset, individuals can find freedom from the influences of their environment, leading to a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Themes
HappinessHabitFreedomMindsetPositivity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about mental health, one might quote this to inspire resilience.
More from Robert Louis Stevenson
All quotes βLike a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
His past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into sober and fearful gratitude by the many he had come so near to doing, yet avoided.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
It is the history of our kindnesses that alone make this world tolerable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind words, kind looks, kind letters . . . I should be inclined to think our life a practical jest in the worst possible spirit.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Strange as my circumstances were, the terms of this debate are as old and commonplace as man; much the same inducements and alarms cast the die for any tempted and trembling sinner; and it fell out with me, as it falls with so vast a majority of my fellows, that I chose the better part and was found wanting in the strength to keep to it.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Similar quotes
True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents.
John W. GardnerRead
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!
Henry Ward BeecherRead
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Berkeley BreathedRead
A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor β such is my idea of happiness.
Leo TolstoyRead
Obviously, there were ways to have made a lot more money and to have had more leisure. But I wouldn't choose that. I feel rich in ways that are unique and that I would never trade for tens of millions of dollars in the bank.
Bryan StevensonRead
I am so far from being a pessimist...on the contrary, in spite of my scars, I am tickled to death at life.
Eugene O'NeillRead