--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think instead [of happiness] we should…" description: "\"I think instead [of happiness] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's relatively independent of external circumst..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png" --- # I think instead \[of happiness\] we should be working for… ![“I think instead [of happiness] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's relatively independent of external circumstances.” quote by Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png) > “I think instead \[of happiness\] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's relatively independent of external circumstances.” [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Instead of chasing happiness, aim for contentment—inner fulfillment independent of external circumstances. **In simple terms:** Seek inner fulfillment rather than fleeting happiness. Key Takeaway Focus on lasting contentment over temporary joy. Themes wellness philosophy psychology Mood calm balanced Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - mindfulness practice - stress management - life coaching Key Concepts contentment inner fulfillment external independence Questions to Reflect On - How does contentment differ from happiness? - What practices nurture inner fulfillment? A Different Perspective Contentment can feel passive without active growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Contentment Inner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment-inner-1893598/) [Fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfillment/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-working-475891/) [Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent/) [Instead Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-happiness-2825881/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Working Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-contentment-4535531/) ## Related quotes > [“And this—instead of happiness—would be only what the two of us deserved, after all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-benjamin/and-this-instead-of-happiness-would-be-only-what-the-two-of-us/) [Melanie Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-benjamin/) > [Life's never easy. You can decide for things you need but you can't expect a good result. You can choose a lifestyle you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-s-never-easy-you-can-decide-for-things-you-need-but-you-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In order to be happy we must first possess inner contentment; and inner contentment doesn't come from having all we want; but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-order-to-be-happy-we-must-first-possess-inner-contentment-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Happiness is working with Jack Lemmon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/happiness-is-working-with-jack-lemmon/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [“No object, no event, no outcome or life circumstance can deliver real happiness to us. We have to make our own happiness—by working hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/no-object-no-event-no-outcome-or-life-circumstance-can-deliver-real/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [The secret to happiness is to be working at your passion. If you want to be miserable, lead a desperate life like everybody else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvon-chouinard/the-secret-to-happiness-is-to-be-working-at-your-passion-if-you-want/) [Yvon Chouinard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvon-chouinard/) > [“But I feel a sense of peace when I’m working. Happiness, almost. It’s when I’m not working I feel uneasy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sa-larsson/but-i-feel-a-sense-of-peace-when-i-m-working-happiness-almost-it-s/) [Åsa Larsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sa-larsson/) > [I think service to others is the real key to winning our own personal freedom and the road to our own happiness, our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-think-service-to-others-is-the-real-key-to-winning-our-own-personal/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [Contentment is never the outcome of fulfillment, of achievement, or of the possession of things; it is not born of action or inaction. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/contentment-is-never-the-outcome-of-fulfillment-of-achievement-or-of/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [A meaningful life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated, or being perfect...It is about being real, being humble, being able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/a-meaningful-life-is-not-being-rich-being-popular-being-highly/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [Satisfaction is not always the fulfillment of what you want; it is the realization of how blessed you are for what you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/satisfaction-is-not-always-the-fulfillment-of-what-you-want-it-is-the/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Happiness is in contentment, gratitude, and love. It is a lifestyle, not a location](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogwo-david-emenike/happiness-is-in-contentment-gratitude-and-love-it-is-a-lifestyle-not/) [Ogwo David Emenike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogwo-david-emenike/) > [Richness is not earning more, spending more or saving more.. richness is when you need no more!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/richness-is-not-earning-more-spending-more-or-saving-more-richness-is/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Every human always wants more. We're never satisfied. True happiness doesn't come until we're fully satisfied with what we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-human-always-wants-more-we-re-never-satisfied-true-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My personal opinion is that the neutral position on the mood spectrum—what I called emotional sea level—is not happiness but rather contentment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/my-personal-opinion-is-that-the-neutral-position-on-the-mood-spectrum/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) ## More by Andrew Weil > [Low levels of vitamin D in the population as a whole suggest that most people need to take a vitamin D supplement. This may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/low-levels-of-vitamin-d-in-the-population-as-a-whole-suggest-that/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [While sleep is clearly vital to emotional well-being, what is it, exactly, about sleep that is so necessary? As it turns out, mood disorders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/while-sleep-is-clearly-vital-to-emotional-well-being-what-is-it/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [I believe that it may be normal, healthy, and even productive to experience mild to moderate depression from time to time as part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-believe-that-it-may-be-normal-healthy-and-even-productive-to/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Insurance companies, whether private or government owned, must be compelled to pay for health-promoting measures. In turn, this will encourage physicians to offer such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/insurance-companies-whether-private-or-government-owned-must-be/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Studies have shown that people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary. The more energy you expend during the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/studies-have-shown-that-people-who-are-physically-active-sleep-better/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The most common objection that I hear to walking as exercise is that it's too easy, that only sweaty, strenuous activity offers real benefits.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-most-common-objection-that-i-hear-to-walking-as-exercise-is-that/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [In Europe, when tobacco was first introduced, it was immediately banned. In Turkey, if you got caught with tobacco, you had your nose slit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/in-europe-when-tobacco-was-first-introduced-it-was-immediately-banned/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [My personal opinion is that the neutral position on the mood spectrum—what I called emotional sea level—is not happiness but rather contentment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/my-personal-opinion-is-that-the-neutral-position-on-the-mood-spectrum/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Technology has a shadow side. It accounts for real progress in medicine, but has also hurt it in many ways, making it more impersonal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/technology-has-a-shadow-side-it-accounts-for-real-progress-in/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The notion that a human being should be constantly happy is a uniquely modern, uniquely American, uniquely destructive idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-notion-that-a-human-being-should-be-constantly-happy-is-a/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/if-i-had-to-limit-my-advice-on-healthier-living-to-just-one-tip-it/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The essence of health is inner balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-essence-of-health-is-inner-balance/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Even low-calorie diets and vigorous exercise fail to work in the long term for at least some people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/even-low-calorie-diets-and-vigorous-exercise-fail-to-work-in-the-long/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [American businesses are struggling to pay outrageous, exploitive insurance bills for their employees, hampering our ability to compete globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/american-businesses-are-struggling-to-pay-outrageous-exploitive/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Routines may include taking a warm bath or a relaxing walk in the evening, or practicing meditation/relaxation exercises. Psychologically, the completion of such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/routines-may-include-taking-a-warm-bath-or-a-relaxing-walk-in-the/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) [Explore all 134 Andrew Weil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think instead [of happiness] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's relatively independent of external circumstances.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Weil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-be-working-for-contentment-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circumstances" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-be-working-for-contentment-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/andrew-weil-3294_circumstances_i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-b_1341670.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think instead [of happiness] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's…” — Andrew Weil", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andrew Weil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think instead [of happiness] we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-be-working-for-contentment-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-think-instead-of-happiness-we-should-be-working-for-contentment-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```