None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
I am a happy camper so I guess I’m doing something right. Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Happiness comes when we stop chasing it and focus on other aspects of life.
Henry David Thoreau emphasizes that happiness cannot be pursued directly; rather, it is a byproduct of engaging in meaningful activities and experiences. By shifting our focus away from the relentless pursuit of happiness, we create an environment where happiness can naturally occur and settle in our lives.
Themes
HappinessButterflyLifeAttentionContentment
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about finding joy in everyday life.
More from Henry David Thoreau
All quotes →Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
Henry David ThoreauRead
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
Henry David ThoreauRead
As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
Henry David ThoreauRead
That grand old poem called Winter
Henry David ThoreauRead
Similar quotes
The happiness of life consists, like the day, not in single flashes (of light), but in one continuous mild serenity. The most beautiful period of the heart's existence is in this calm equable light, even although it be only moonshine or twilight. Now the mind alone can obtain for us this heavenly cheerfulness and peace.
Jean PaulRead
I have no name: I am but two days old. What shall I call thee? I happy am, Joy is my name. Sweet joy befall thee!
William BlakeRead
The more we think of others, the happier we are. The more we think of ourselves, the more suffering we feel.
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The right to happiness is fundamental; men live so little time and die alone.
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If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
Roald DahlRead
The consuming desire of most human beings is deliberately to plant their whole life in the hands of some other person. I would describe this method of searching for happiness as immature. Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.
Quentin CrispRead