Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
You traverse the world in search of happiness which is within the reach of every man. A contented mind confers it on all.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Happiness is not found externally, but rather within one's own mind and perspective.
This quote emphasizes that the pursuit of happiness often leads us to search outside ourselves, but true happiness and contentment come from within. A peaceful and satisfied mind is key to experiencing joy, suggesting that we hold the power to be happy by adjusting our mindset rather than seeking external validation or sources of happiness.
Themes
HappinessContentmentMindsetPerspectiveInner Peace
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about finding peace and contentment in life.
More from Horace
All quotes βNow is the time for drinking; now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot.
HoraceRead
Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.
HoraceRead
It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.
HoraceRead
It is not the rich man you should properly call happy, _x000D_ but him who knows how to use with wisdom the blessings of the gods, _x000D_ to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, _x000D_ and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland.
HoraceRead
Few cross the river of time and are able to reach non-being. Most of them run up and down only on this side of the river. But those who when they know the law follow the path of the law, they shall reach the other shore and go beyond the realm of death.
HoraceRead
Similar quotes
In the dark room a cloud of yellow dust flew from beneath the tool like a scatter of sparks from under the hooves of a galloping horse. The twin wheels turned and hummed. Binet was smiling, his chin down, his nostrils distended. He seemed lost in the kind of happiness which, as a rule, accompanies only those mediocre occupations that tickle the intelligence with easy difficulties, and satisfy it with a sense of achievement beyond which there is nothing left for dreams to feed on.
Gustave FlaubertRead
Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I didn't deserve it. It's like this very, very nice car crash that never ends.
Douglas CouplandRead
Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
Charles DickensRead
I'm fulfilled in what I do. I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes - the finer things of life - would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.
Coretta Scott KingRead
The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure to wonder whether you are happy or not.
George Bernard ShawRead
Happiness is a hard master, particularly other people's happiness.
Aldous HuxleyRead