Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy.

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy.

One should either be sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.

One should either be sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.

The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire read more

The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.

Whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and read more

Whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and set me to thinking of plans to gain my freedom.

If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper read more

If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot.

Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a read more

Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase.

Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for read more

Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.

To the right, books; to the left, a tea-cup. In front of me, the fireplace; behind me, the post. There read more

To the right, books; to the left, a tea-cup. In front of me, the fireplace; behind me, the post. There is no greater happiness than this.