The most happy man is he who knows how to bring into relation the end and beginning of his life.

Sir, that all who are happy, are equally happy, is not true. A peasant and a philosopher may be equally satisfied, but not equally happy. Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agreeable consciousness.

There are people who can do all fine and heroic things but one: keep from telling their happiness to the unhappy.

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.

But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a person and life they lead.

There is this difference between happiness and wisdom, that he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he who thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.

Happiness is not a possession to be prized. It is a quality of thought, a state of mind.

Happiness ain't a thing in itself --it's only a contrast with something that ain't pleasant. And so, as soon as the novelty is over and the force of the contrast dulled, it ain't happiness any longer, and you have to get something fresh.

Happiness is not a reward: it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment: it is a result.

It seldom happens that any felicity comes so pure as not to be tempered and allayed by some mixture of sorrow.