Happiness Quote by Aldous Huxley
““Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand. / La felicidad real siempre aparece escuálida por comparación con las compensaciones que ofrece la desdicha. Y, naturalmente, la estabilidad no es, ni con mucho, tan espectacular como la inestabilidad. Y estar satisfecho de todo no posee el hechizo de una buena lucha contra la desventura, ni el pintoresquismo del combate contra la tentación o contra una pasión fatal o una duda. La felicidad nunca tiene grandeza.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Perennial Philosophy, Aldous Huxley, 1945
True happiness is modest and ordinary, lacking the drama and allure of struggle, instability, or grand passions.
In simple terms: Happiness is simple, not spectacular.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate quiet contentment.
Themes
happiness
contentment
stability
drama
glamour
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- daily life
- personal reflection
- mental health
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
philosophy of happiness
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate excitement with meaning?
- How can you find value in quiet stability?
A Different Perspective
The appeal of struggle can make contentment feel dull, leading some to reject it.
