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Real happiness is not dependent on external things. The pond is fed from within. The kind of happiness that stays with you is the happiness that springs from inward thoughts and emotions. You must cultivate your mind if you wish to achieve enduring happiness.
William Lyon Phelps
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True happiness originates from within and is not reliant on external circumstances.

This quote emphasizes that genuine happiness is an internal state rather than one influenced by outside factors. According to Phelps, true joy comes from our own thoughts and emotions, and to achieve lasting happiness, we must focus on nurturing our inner selves.

Themes

HappinessInternalEnduringCultivateMind

In practice

Example use cases

A motivational speech on how personal development leads to lasting happiness.

More from William Lyon Phelps

Life, with all it's sorrows, cares, perplexities and heart-breaks, is more interesting than bovine placidity, hence more desirable. The more interesting it is, the happier it is.
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I divide all readers into two classes: those who read to remember and those who read to forget.
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The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.
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The belief that youth is the happiest time of life is founded on fallacy. The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts, and we grow happier as we grow older.
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Whenever it is possible, a boy should choose some occupation which he should do even if he did not need the money.
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You can be deprived of your money, your job and your home by someone else, but remember that no one can ever take away your honor.
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