--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You should learn to be happy with what…" description: "\"You should learn to be happy with what you have. Besides, the fact that I'm not a huge star has allowed me to pick and choose the roles I want to do, n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/aidan-quinn-21242_allowed_you-should-learn-to-be-happy-with-what-y_2339077.jpg" --- # You should learn to be happy with what you have. Besides… ![“You should learn to be happy with what you have. Besides, the fact that I'm not a huge star has allowed me to pick and choose the roles I want to do, not the ones some person sitting in a studio office thinks I should do.” quote by Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/aidan-quinn-21242_allowed_you-should-learn-to-be-happy-with-what-y_2339077.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/aidan-quinn-21242_allowed_you-should-learn-to-be-happy-with-what-y_2339077.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/aidan-quinn-21242_allowed_you-should-learn-to-be-happy-with-what-y_2339077.jpg) > “You should learn to be happy with what you have. Besides, the fact that I'm not a huge star has allowed me to pick and choose the roles I want to do, not the ones some person sitting in a studio office thinks I should do.” [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding contentment in modesty allows selective freedom to choose meaningful work over fame. **In simple terms:** Be happy with what you have and choose wisely. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal fulfillment over external validation. Themes contentment choice career authenticity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - artistic projects - life planning - budgeting Key Concepts self‑actualization values agency Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your role selection? - How do you balance gratitude with ambition? A Different Perspective Choosing comfort may limit growth opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I have the freedom to choose the roles I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/i-have-the-freedom-to-choose-the-roles-i-want/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [I'm not George Clooney, so I can't just pick and choose. I take roles where they occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gillies/i-m-not-george-clooney-so-i-can-t-just-pick-and-choose-i-take-roles/) [Daniel Gillies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gillies/) > [We are in an industry where, unfortunately, there is very limited scope for female-oriented roles. If we don't have options, how can we pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakul-preet-singh/we-are-in-an-industry-where-unfortunately-there-is-very-limited-scope/) [Rakul Preet Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakul-preet-singh/) > [I thank God I'm in a position where I can pick and choose - there are some roles I don't play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-thank-god-i-m-in-a-position-where-i-can-pick-and-choose-there-are/) [Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/) > [Through our willingness to help others we can learn to be happy rather than depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-jampolsky/through-our-willingness-to-help-others-we-can-learn-to-be-happy/) [Gerald Jampolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-jampolsky/) > [I'm very instinctive when I choose my roles, and usually, the number one thing has to be the director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-hope-ashitey/i-m-very-instinctive-when-i-choose-my-roles-and-usually-the-number/) [Clare-Hope Ashitey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clare-hope-ashitey/) > [I try to do different things. My main goal is to choose roles where I won't repeat myself or where I will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-layevska/i-try-to-do-different-things-my-main-goal-is-to-choose-roles-where-i/) [Ana Layevska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-layevska/) > [I can't choose my roles half-heartedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-penty/i-can-t-choose-my-roles-half-heartedly/) [Diana Penty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-penty/) > [I always choose roles that are, you know, hopefully different from the last role. I don't wanna do the same thing over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/i-always-choose-roles-that-are-you-know-hopefully-different-from-the/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [I think it's a real danger, as an actor, when you try to make some statement through your career about what the business should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/i-think-it-s-a-real-danger-as-an-actor-when-you-try-to-make-some/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [Basically, my deal is that I choose roles based on three criteria. One is the role, obviously, if it's something that speaks to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-spiner/basically-my-deal-is-that-i-choose-roles-based-on-three-criteria-one/) [Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-spiner/) > [It's tough, when you play an iconic character, to break away from it. You have to make sure you have a lot of variety…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-lourd/it-s-tough-when-you-play-an-iconic-character-to-break-away-from-it/) [Billie Lourd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-lourd/) > [I don't choose roles. I go where I'm wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/i-don-t-choose-roles-i-go-where-i-m-wanted/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [I don't want to be pretentious about, "yes, I need to move in to the more dramatic roles and express myself and prove to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/i-don-t-want-to-be-pretentious-about-yes-i-need-to-move-in-to-the/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [I am now in a position to choose roles. I did not have so many offers before 'Queen', but now things have changed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/i-am-now-in-a-position-to-choose-roles-i-did-not-have-so-many-offers/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) ## More by Aidan Quinn > [I don't care. I mean, I've been stupid in the past, and I've learned from that. Some actors actually think about what they're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-don-t-care-i-mean-i-ve-been-stupid-in-the-past-and-i-ve-learned/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Some actors actually think about what they're going to talk about during the interview - they read up and meditate and plan quotes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/some-actors-actually-think-about-what-they-re-going-to-talk-about/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Life is hard for everyone. That's why there's such a nice reward at the end of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/life-is-hard-for-everyone-that-s-why-there-s-such-a-nice-reward-at/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [The family is where most of our joy comes from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/the-family-is-where-most-of-our-joy-comes-from/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I'd wear clogs, short pants and ladies' bracelets. I created this aura for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-d-wear-clogs-short-pants-and-ladies-bracelets-i-created-this-aura/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I think my being such a nomad let me into acting. I was always having to create a new image whenever we moved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-think-my-being-such-a-nomad-let-me-into-acting-i-was-always-having/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Baseball should be the only thing on an eight year old boy's mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/baseball-should-be-the-only-thing-on-an-eight-year-old-boy-s-mind/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I think there's a down-to-earthness with Midwesterners and with people from the Midlands - which is where my family is from - in Ireland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-think-there-s-a-down-to-earthness-with-midwesterners-and-with/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Make them laugh, and then make them listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/make-them-laugh-and-then-make-them-listen/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I'm not particularly a career-oriented guy. I'm lucky. I can make really interesting films much of the time with interesting people yet be anonymous,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-m-not-particularly-a-career-oriented-guy-i-m-lucky-i-can-make/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I'd sneak out of the house to meet girls at 3:30 a.m.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-d-sneak-out-of-the-house-to-meet-girls-at-3-30-a-m/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I'm not a city kind of guy. I'm happiest when I'm tromping through the woods. That's why I don't live in Los Angeles. Being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-m-not-a-city-kind-of-guy-i-m-happiest-when-i-m-tromping-through-the/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Money is just something to be circulated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/money-is-just-something-to-be-circulated/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [I don't get any parts I don't get offered. There are lots of great things out there I would like to do that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/i-don-t-get-any-parts-i-don-t-get-offered-there-are-lots-of-great/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) > [Celebrity, to me, is not a thing to seek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-quinn/celebrity-to-me-is-not-a-thing-to-seek/) [Aidan Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) [Explore all 29 Aidan Quinn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-quinn/) ## More Allowed quotes > [I just think that things should be allowed to run their course, and not turned into a Disney ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-shaw/i-just-think-that-things-should-be-allowed-to-run-their-course-and/) [Fiona Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-shaw/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [There aren't traditions of freedom in a place like Iraq. They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) > [One of the mistakes I made was thinking chickens and penguins could sing, just like all the other animals in the 'Muppets.' But it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-mckenzie/one-of-the-mistakes-i-made-was-thinking-chickens-and-penguins-could/) [Bret McKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-mckenzie/) > [I was allowed to believe things that weren't true and I would ask questions about them and talk about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/i-was-allowed-to-believe-things-that-weren-t-true-and-i-would-ask/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) > [I always wanted to make big action movies as a kid, and that was my dream. In a way, 'Swingers' was the thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-big-action-movies-as-a-kid-and-that-was-my/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [For years, I had a top secret clearance and never left Russia. Just once did I go to Bulgaria with my wife for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/for-years-i-had-a-top-secret-clearance-and-never-left-russia-just/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Keep in mind, I'm not allowed to be tough. I'm tamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/keep-in-mind-i-m-not-allowed-to-be-tough-i-m-tamed/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [As a child, we lived in flats, and I was never allowed pets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pigott-smith/as-a-child-we-lived-in-flats-and-i-was-never-allowed-pets/) [Tim Pigott-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pigott-smith/) > [I'm not allowed to date. My dad said so. Not until I'm, like, 90.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-hogan/i-m-not-allowed-to-date-my-dad-said-so-not-until-i-m-like-90/) [Brooke Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-hogan/) > [I've grown up playing for some incredible coaches, and I don't think anybody's ever been as fortunate as I have in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-brown/i-ve-grown-up-playing-for-some-incredible-coaches-and-i-don-t-think/) [Larry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-brown/) > [I respect Chris Brown. I'd like to call myself a friend - I don't know if I'm allowed to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-respect-chris-brown-i-d-like-to-call-myself-a-friend-i-don-t-know/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [My family, they're story tellers. My mom is Irish, and my dad is Italian. In my family, we weren't allowed to watch TV while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/my-family-they-re-story-tellers-my-mom-is-irish-and-my-dad-is-italian/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [One should be allowed to choose one's burden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-butts/one-should-be-allowed-to-choose-one-s-burden/) [Mary Butts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-butts/) Browse all 1,069 Allowed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You should learn to be happy with what you have. 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