--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: economist Richard Layard,4 who argue that…" description: "\"“economist Richard Layard,4 who argue that self-assessed happiness is the only thing that is important, that good circumstances are good only insofar a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/anonymous-1_happiness_economist-richard-layard-4-who-argue-tha_3080632.jpg" --- # economist Richard Layard,4 who argue that self-assessed… ![“economist Richard Layard,4 who argue that self-assessed happiness is the only thing that is important, that good circumstances are good only insofar as they promote happiness, and that bad circumstances are not bad if people are happy in spite of them.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/anonymous-1_happiness_economist-richard-layard-4-who-argue-tha_3080632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/anonymous-1_happiness_economist-richard-layard-4-who-argue-tha_3080632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/anonymous-1_happiness_economist-richard-layard-4-who-argue-tha_3080632.jpg) > ““economist Richard Layard,4 who argue that self-assessed happiness is the only thing that is important, that good circumstances are good only insofar as they promote happiness, and that bad circumstances are not bad if people are happy in spite of them.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that happiness is the sole metric of value, and that circumstances matter only insofar as they affect happiness. **In simple terms:** Happiness is the only thing that matters. Key Takeaway Focus on happiness over external conditions. Themes happiness subjectivity wellbeing Mood contemplative neutral Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal decisions - policy making - mental health - relationship counseling Key Concepts utilitarianism psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure happiness? - Can circumstances be good if they don’t increase happiness? 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One way to derive increasing happiness during the year we have just entered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/happiness-is-normally-the-prime-search-of-every-rational-human-being/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [No true and permanent fame can be founded, except in labors which promote the happiness of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/no-true-and-permanent-fame-can-be-founded-except-in-labors-which/) [Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. 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