I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.

I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest read more

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest take their flight
Are the most exquisite and strong;
Like angel's visits short and bright,
Mortality's too weak to bear them long.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

A joy that's shared is a joy made double.

A joy that's shared is a joy made double.

Joy has this in common with pain, that it robs people of reason.

Joy has this in common with pain, that it robs people of reason.

This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty read more

This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. . -George Bernard Shaw.

Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.

Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.

The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy.

The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy.

Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in read more

Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness