--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The way to achieve happiness is to try…" description: "\"The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that is impossible to achieve, and spend the rest of your life trying to achieve it.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg" --- # The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that… ![“The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that is impossible to achieve, and spend the rest of your life trying to achieve it.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg) > “The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that is impossible to achieve, and spend the rest of your life trying to achieve it.” [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. Happiness is pursued through an unattainable ideal, leading to perpetual striving. **In simple terms:** Chasing perfection keeps us forever unsatisfied. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and find contentment. Themes happiness perfection effort Mood contemplative hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal goals - career development - creative projects - spiritual practice Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What would you value if perfection were not the goal? - How can you measure progress without perfection? A Different Perspective The advice may cause burnout and chronic dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Achieve Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve-happiness-272127/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-try-466446/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Impossible Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible-achieve-433026/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfection Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection-impossible-545233/) [Rest of your life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest-of-your-life/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Try Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-perfection-2015941/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Perfection is impossible. Trying to do your best is important, but loving yourself and loving others should come first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perfection-is-impossible-trying-to-do-your-best-is-important-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If u can't be a pencil to write Someone's happiness Then try to be a nice Eraser to remove their Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-u-can-t-be-a-pencil-to-write-someone-s-happiness-then-try-to-be-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you cant be a pencil to write anyones happiness, then try to be a nice eraser to remove someones sadness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-cant-be-a-pencil-to-write-anyones-happiness-then-try-to-be-a-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If u cannot be a pencil to write anyones happiness, then try at least to be a nice eraser to remove some ones sadness¦¦](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-u-cannot-be-a-pencil-to-write-anyones-happiness-then-try-at-least/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-only-one-thing-that-makes-a-dream-impossible-to-achieve-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is only one thing that makes a dream completely impossible to achieve: lack of action based on the fear of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-only-one-thing-that-makes-a-dream-completely-impossible-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have always had a drive that pushed me to try for perfection, and golf is a game in which perfection stays just out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-rawls/i-have-always-had-a-drive-that-pushed-me-to-try-for-perfection-and/) [Betsy Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-rawls/) > [“Never try to be other than you are. You are perfection, just as you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-reid/never-try-to-be-other-than-you-are-you-are-perfection-just-as-you-are/) [Penny Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-reid/) > [When I get scored on or something doesn't go my way, I think of what I'm able to do and I'm reminded that I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-brodeur/when-i-get-scored-on-or-something-doesn-t-go-my-way-i-think-of-what-i/) [Martin Brodeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-brodeur/) > [“There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You must connect with people to achieve happiness.scripture warns were not created to be alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-must-connect-with-people-to-achieve-happiness-scripture-warns/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You cannot achieve happiness. Happiness happens and is a transitory stage. Imagine how happy I felt when I got relief from bladder pressure. How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-achieve-happiness-happiness-happens-and-is-a-transitory/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Perfection is impossible in an imperfect society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peixin-sammy-zhong/perfection-is-impossible-in-an-imperfect-society/) [Peixin Sammy Zhong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peixin-sammy-zhong/) > [It is too bad that the public expects from me, always, perfection which it is impossible for me always to attain. I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrico-caruso/it-is-too-bad-that-the-public-expects-from-me-always-perfection-which/) [Enrico Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrico-caruso/) > [Perfection is impossible without humility. Why should I strive for perfection, if I am already good enough?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/perfection-is-impossible-without-humility-why-should-i-strive-for/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## 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. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Achieve quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. 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When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) [Deon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-taylor/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/) [Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. 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Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [To achieve something you've never achieved before, you must become someone you've never been before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/to-achieve-something-you-ve-never-achieved-before-you-must-become/) [Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/) > [I've identified as bisexual since I was a teenager, and if we want to achieve equality for all in our policies, we need more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hill/i-ve-identified-as-bisexual-since-i-was-a-teenager-and-if-we-want-to/) [Katie Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hill/) [Browse all 6,390 Achieve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that is impossible to achieve, and spend the rest of your life trying to achieve it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-for-perfection-that-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Achieve" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-for-perfection-that-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/anonymous-1_achieve_the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-f_271597.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The way to achieve happiness is to try for perfection that is impossible to achieve, and spend the rest of…” — Anonymous", "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": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The way to achieve happiness is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-for-perfection-that-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-way-to-achieve-happiness-is-to-try-for-perfection-that-is/#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 } } ] } ```