Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
George SandRead
One is happy as a result of one's own efforts, once one knows of the necessary ingredients of happiness-simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self-denial to a point, love of work, and, above all, a clear conscience. Happiness is no vague dream, of that I now feel certain.
Interpretation
Happiness stems from personal efforts and understanding what it requires.
In this quote, George Sand emphasizes that true happiness is achievable through one's own actions and awareness. It suggests that happiness is not an abstract or unattainable goal, but rather consists of simple pleasures, courage, self-discipline, a love for one's work, and a clear conscience, which together can lead to a fulfilling and joyful life.
In practice
In a speech about personal development, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of taking responsibility for one's own happiness.
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
Humanity is outraged in me and with me. We must not dissimulate nor try to forget this indignation, which is one of the most passionate forms of love.
Young love needs dangers and barriers to nourish it.
Once my heart was captured, reason was shown the door, deliberately and with a sort of frantic joy. I accepted everything, I believed everything, without struggle, without suffering, without regret, without false shame. How can one blush for what one adores?
Some say that cats are devils, but they behave badly only when they are alone. When they are among us cats are angels.
Art for art's sake is an empty phrase. Art for the sake of truth, art for the sake of the good and the beautiful, that is the faith I am searching for.
Enthusiasm Rules his inner world. Determination Rules his outer world. Therefore Happiness has become His real name.
The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters.
Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.
We wait for things to be different in order to feel okay with life. As long as we keep attaching our happiness to the external events of our lives, which are ever changing, we’ll always be left waiting for it.
Happiness is the ability to move forward, knowing the future will be better than the past.
The first and perhaps most important thing to realize about being happier in life is to stop trying to be so happy in life.
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