Accordions Quote by Carl Sandburg
““HAPPINESS I ASKED the professors who teach the meaning of life to tell me what is happiness. And I went to famous executives who boss the work of thousands of men. They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though I was trying to fool with them And then one Sunday afternoon I wandered out along the Desplaines river And I saw a crowd of Hungarians under the trees with their women and children and a keg of beer and an accordion.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Plowman’s Song” by Carl Sandburg, 1934
The poet seeks a definition of happiness from scholars and executives, but finds it instead in simple, communal moments of music and fellowship.
In simple terms: Happiness is found in ordinary, shared experiences.
Key Takeaway
Look for joy in everyday gatherings.
Themes
community
joy
simplicity
culture
music
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
observational
cultural
When to use this quote
- family pic
- festivals
- street gatherings
- cultural events
Key Concepts
human connection
folk tradition
meaning of life
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday moments bring you genuine happiness?
- How do communal rituals shape your sense of well‑being?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize simplicity, overlooking deeper societal struggles.
![“The editor, Stephen Segal, actually called me with the idea of creating an accordion book [ "The Thorn & The Blossom"], and asked if I could write a story for it. I was so intrigued! I immediately knew that it had to be a love story told from the points of view of the two main characters. Right…” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5d/theodora-goss-10051_accordions_the-editor-stephen-segal-actually-called_440631.jpg)
