---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you equate happiness with success, you…"
description: "\"If you equate happiness with success, you will never achieve the amount of success necessary to make you happy.\" — Dennis Prager"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg"
---

#  If you equate happiness with success, you will never…

![“If you equate happiness with success, you will never achieve the amount of success necessary to make you happy.” quote by Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg)

> “If you equate happiness with success, you will never achieve the amount of success necessary to make you happy.”

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Equating happiness with success creates a paradox where success never fulfills happiness.

**In simple terms:** Linking happiness to success is self‑defeating.

Key Takeaway

Redefine success beyond external achievements.

Themes

happiness success paradox

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- career goals
- personal fulfillment
- well‑being

Key Concepts

psychology of fulfillment value systems

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you measure success?
- Can happiness exist without success?

A Different Perspective

May ignore intrinsic joy sources.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/)

## Related quotes

> [As long as I am given the opportunity to keep performing and keep exploring in whatever medium, I'll be happy. As long as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/as-long-as-i-am-given-the-opportunity-to-keep-performing-and-keep/)

[Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/)

> [“Simply being in a relationship didn't necessarily equate to happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-bailey/simply-being-in-a-relationship-didn-t-necessarily-equate-to-happiness/)

[Tessa Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-bailey/)

> [It’s hard, in America, not to equate ‘happiness’ with ‘things’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisha-pessl/it-s-hard-in-america-not-to-equate-happiness-with-things/)

[Marisha Pessl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisha-pessl/)

> [The essence of success is that it is never necessary to think of a new idea oneself. It is far better to wait until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-menen/the-essence-of-success-is-that-it-is-never-necessary-to-think-of-a/)

[Aubrey Menen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-menen/)

> [Success is the necessary misfortune of life, but it is only to the very unfortunate that it comes early.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/success-is-the-necessary-misfortune-of-life-but-it-is-only-to-the/)

[Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/)

> [“In order to have success it is necessary to know certain principles and rules”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/in-order-to-have-success-it-is-necessary-to-know-certain-principles/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“In a textbook case of naive empiricism, the author also looked for traits these millionaires had in common and figured out that they shared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/in-a-textbook-case-of-naive-empiricism-the-author-also-looked-for/)

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/)

> [Success itself doesn't give you happiness. It's what you do with your success that gives you happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-ensler/success-itself-doesn-t-give-you-happiness-it-s-what-you-do-with-your/)

[Eve Ensler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-ensler/)

> [The seminary programs will help you as a young man or woman to lay a foundation for happiness and success in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/the-seminary-programs-will-help-you-as-a-young-man-or-woman-to-lay-a/)

[Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/)

> [Our daily decisions and habits have a huge impact upon both our levels of happiness and success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/our-daily-decisions-and-habits-have-a-huge-impact-upon-both-our/)

[Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/)

> [“Happiness, success, peace, and love are experienced when we live accordingly. They are not something you have, they are something you DO.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/happiness-success-peace-and-love-are-experienced-when-we-live/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [Enjoy everything that happens in your life, but never make your happiness or success dependent on an attachment to any person, place, or thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/enjoy-everything-that-happens-in-your-life-but-never-make-your/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [I've had a good life. Enough happiness, enough success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-landon/i-ve-had-a-good-life-enough-happiness-enough-success/)

[Michael Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-landon/)

> [The universe holds enough happiness and success for everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-vincent/the-universe-holds-enough-happiness-and-success-for-everyone/)

[Ali Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-vincent/)

> [“Investing in yourself is one of the foundations for better relationships, health, happiness, success, and prosperity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/investing-in-yourself-is-one-of-the-foundations-for-better/)

[Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/)

## More by Dennis Prager

> [It is extremely difficult to do anything constructive, let alone deep, on daily commercial television, especially on a talk show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/it-is-extremely-difficult-to-do-anything-constructive-let-alone-deep/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [Nothing more guarantees the erosion of character than getting something for nothing. In the liberal welfare state, one develops an entitlement mentality. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/nothing-more-guarantees-the-erosion-of-character-than-getting/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [The biggest battle in life is with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-biggest-battle-in-life-is-with-yourself/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [The Left will destroy what is good to try to make what is perfect. That is the motto of the Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-left-will-destroy-what-is-good-to-try-to-make-what-is-perfect/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [“The poor who commit murder, rape and robbery are not only not starving, they have far more material things than the word ‘poverty’ suggests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-poor-who-commit-murder-rape-and-robbery-are-not-only-not-starving/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [“When it comes to fighting evil, the left is almost pacifist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/when-it-comes-to-fighting-evil-the-left-is-almost-pacifist/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [When you are guaranteed you will win, you can take very inflammatory, very extreme positions. If you have to run in a district where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/when-you-are-guaranteed-you-will-win-you-can-take-very-inflammatory/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [America, not Keith Ellison, decides what book a congressman takes his oath on,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/america-not-keith-ellison-decides-what-book-a-congressman-takes-his/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [ If they \[liberals\] didn't believe we were mean spirited they couldn't stay liberal. They have to believe they mean better than us, but we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/if-they-liberals-didn-t-believe-we-were-mean-spirited-they-couldn-t/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [“From Marx until today, victim groups have played an indispensable role in Leftist success. Without victim groups, the Left cannot succeed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/from-marx-until-today-victim-groups-have-played-an-indispensable-role/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [Good and happy people who believe in God are the greatest living arguments for God's existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/good-and-happy-people-who-believe-in-god-are-the-greatest-living/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [Leftism and narcissism are almost synonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/leftism-and-narcissism-are-almost-synonymous/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [Humility is a fantastic trait and is one of the most important things we can have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/humility-is-a-fantastic-trait-and-is-one-of-the-most-important-things/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [There is no limit to suffering human beings have been willing to inflict on others, no matter how innocent, no matter how young, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/there-is-no-limit-to-suffering-human-beings-have-been-willing-to/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

[Explore all 437 Dennis Prager quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

## 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. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/)

[Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/)

> [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/)

[Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/)

> [I'm a film guy. I love it. 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

> [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

> [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 &amp; movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/if-your-only-goal-is-to-become-rich-you-will-never-achieve-it/)

[John D. 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

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you equate happiness with success, you will never achieve the amount of success necessary to make you happy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dennis Prager"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you-will-never-achieve-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Achieve"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you-will-never-achieve-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/dennis-prager-631_achieve_if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you_1436437.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you equate happiness with success, you will never achieve the amount of success necessary to make you…” — Dennis Prager",
                "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": "Dennis Prager",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you equate happiness with success,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you-will-never-achieve-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/if-you-equate-happiness-with-success-you-will-never-achieve-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
