I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.
Interpretation
Happiness is found in the simplicity of life's small pleasures.
In this quote, Kazantzakis reflects on the notion that true happiness comes not from wealth or material possessions, but rather from appreciating life's simple and often overlooked joys. The imagery of a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, and the sound of the sea emphasizes that contentment can be derived from modest experiences rather than extravagant ones.
In practice
This quote is perfect for discussing the importance of finding joy in everyday life during a motivational speech.
A weak soul does not have the endurance to resist the flesh for very long. It grows heavy, becomes flesh itself, and the contest ends. But among responsible men, men who keep their eyes riveted day and night upon the Supreme Duty, the conflict between flesh and spirit breaks out mercilessly and may last until death.
This, I thought, is how great visionaries and poets see everything- as if for the first time. Each morning they see a new world before their eyes; they do not really see it, they create it.
What happiness this is: to fly, skimming over the earth just as we do in our dreams! Life has become a dream. Can this be the meaning of paradise?
I collect my tools: sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, intellect. Night has fallen.
The dual substance of Christ - the yearning, so human, so superhuman, of man to attain God. [...] has always been a deep inscrutable mystery to me. [...] My principle anguish and source of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh. [...] And my soul is the arena where these two armies have clashed and met.
I fight to embrace the entire circle of human activity to the full extent of my ability.
Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity.
You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous.
Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.
At Christmas A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year; He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here; Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before, And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for. He is less a selfish creature than at any other time; When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
Maybe happiness too is a metaphor invented on a day of boredom
The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets.
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