--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we want happiness, I think we should…" description: "\"If we want happiness, I think we should follow classic Greek wisdom and live with areté. The word directly translates as 'excellence' or 'virtue,' but ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e70/brian-johnson-21200_anxiety_if-we-want-happiness-i-think-we-should-f_421897.jpg" --- # If we want happiness, I think we should follow classic… ![“If we want happiness, I think we should follow classic Greek wisdom and live with areté. The word directly translates as 'excellence' or 'virtue,' but has a deeper meaning — something closer to 'expressing the highest version of ourselves.' When we're showing up fully moment to moment, there's no…” quote by Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e70/brian-johnson-21200_anxiety_if-we-want-happiness-i-think-we-should-f_421897.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e70/brian-johnson-21200_anxiety_if-we-want-happiness-i-think-we-should-f_421897.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e70/brian-johnson-21200_anxiety_if-we-want-happiness-i-think-we-should-f_421897.jpg) > “If we want happiness, I think we should follow classic Greek wisdom and live with areté. The word directly translates as 'excellence' or 'virtue,' but has a deeper meaning — something closer to 'expressing the highest version of ourselves.' When we're showing up fully moment to moment, there's no room for regret/anxiety/disillusionment, just a whole lot of happiness. Here's to getting our areté on!” [Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages living with areté—excellence and virtue—by fully engaging each moment, which reduces negative emotions and increases happiness. **In simple terms:** Live fully and excellently to feel happier. Key Takeaway Practice present‑moment excellence daily. Themes happiness virtue mindfulness self‑improvement Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - daily routines - coaching sessions Key Concepts arete self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What does “highest version of yourself” look like for you? - How can you practice areté without burnout? A Different Perspective Excellence can be stressful if perfection is forced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Deeper meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeper-meaning/) [Disillusionment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disillusionment/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“Areté is a word that means excellence in character and life. 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But it would be a really beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-legler/i-understand-signifiers-we-re-social-creatures-and-we-have-a-physical/) Casey Legler > [The Lord requires sacrifice, meaning something above and beyond the minimum. The Master spoke of the "second mile" and told us to go there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hartman-rector-jr/the-lord-requires-sacrifice-meaning-something-above-and-beyond-the/) [Hartman Rector, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hartman-rector-jr/) > [Happiness is normally the prime search of every rational human being. 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/) > [Domesticity is the enemy of art. I don't know if that's true. You can write good happy songs. 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When we're being ourselves-our highest selves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-johnson/live-at-your-highest-potential-moment-to-moment-to-moment-when-do-we/) [Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-johnson/) > [If people have a passion for anything they tend to get quite good at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-johnson/if-people-have-a-passion-for-anything-they-tend-to-get-quite-good-at/) [Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-johnson/) > [People are famous for being famous and for nothing else. 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If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. 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