Quotes about Contentment

It was Kierkegaard who told the wise parable that the door to happiness always opens 'outwards', which means it closes itself precisely against the person who tries to push the door to happiness 'inwards', so to speak.

If it were now to die, 'twere now to be most happy.

Perhaps it was better not to see pictures: they only made one hopelessly discontented with one's own work.

It is remarkable, remembering the bitterness of those days, what a change of temper a fixed income will bring about. No force in the world can take from me my five hundred pounds. Food, house, and clothing are mine forever. Therefore not merely do effort and labour cease, but also hatred and bitterness. I need not hate any man; he cannot hurt me.

there were masses of pictures she had not seen; however, Lily Briscoe reflected, perhaps it was better not to see pictures: they only made one hopelessly discontented with one's own work.

You are you. That is what consoles me for the lack of many things.

What a vast fertility of pleasure books hold for me! (...) I think I could happily live here & read forever.

What she liked was simply life. 'That's what I do it for', she said, speaking aloud, to life.

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

He who knows enough is enough will always have enough.