--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness in the present is only…" description: "\"Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.[only if the past was better...if it was worse then you feel good that life is g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg" --- # Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison… ![“Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.[only if the past was better...if it was worse then you feel good that life is getting better]” quote by Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg) > “Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.\[only if the past was better...if it was worse then you feel good that life is getting better\]” [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comparing today to a better past creates dissatisfaction, while a worse past can make current life seem improved. **In simple terms:** Comparison with past affects happiness. Key Takeaway Avoid comparing to past; focus on present. Themes happiness mindfulness temporal perception Mood thoughtful reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - daily reflection - goal setting - mental health counseling Key Concepts psychology contentment Questions to Reflect On - How does nostalgia affect your mood? - What can you appreciate now without past reference? A Different Perspective Comparison can ignore present joys. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Comparison Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison-past-2984111/) [Feel good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-good/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Get better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-better/) [Getting better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-better/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-better-491761/) [Present Shattered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-shattered-3202773/) [Shattered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shattered/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shattered-by-comparison-with-the-past/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [I see no comparison between the past and future, both constants share the same ideology. For me the present is the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/i-see-no-comparison-between-the-past-and-future-both-constants-share/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [Focus on the future, not on the past because better days lie ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/focus-on-the-future-not-on-the-past-because-better-days-lie-ahead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The past is past. And better it remain so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-blum/the-past-is-past-and-better-it-remain-so/) [Jenna Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-blum/) > [You can't look back - you just have to put the past behind you, and find something better in your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-can-t-look-back-you-just-have-to-put-the-past-behind-you-and-find/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The reason we find it so difficult to be happy: we see the past better that it was,the present worse than it is,and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/the-reason-we-find-it-so-difficult-to-be-happy-we-see-the-past-better/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [Pain make you stronger; tears make you braver; heartbreak make you wiser; so thank the past for a better future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pain-make-you-stronger-tears-make-you-braver-heartbreak-make-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The minute you think that the past was better, your present is second hand, and yourself becomes vintage - it’s okay for clothes not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/the-minute-you-think-that-the-past-was-better-your-present-is-second/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [“The past always seems better when you look back on it than it did at the time. And the present never looks as good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/the-past-always-seems-better-when-you-look-back-on-it-than-it-did-at-2/) [Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/) > [The past always seems better when you look back on it than it did at the time. And the present never looks as good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/the-past-always-seems-better-when-you-look-back-on-it-than-it-did-at/) [Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/) > [The reason why people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reason-why-people-find-it-so-hard-to-be-happy-is-that-they-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was and the present worse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/season-vining/reason-people-find-it-so-hard-to-be-happy-is-that-they-always-see-the/) [Season Vining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/season-vining/) > [The Past is Past and only a better Future can change that...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-past-and-only-a-better-future-can-change-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Pain makes you stronger, tears makes you braver, and heartbreaks makes you wiser, so thank the past for a better future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pain-makes-you-stronger-tears-makes-you-braver-and-heartbreaks-makes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I would thank the past for a better future cause pain makes me stronger, tears makes me braver and heartbreak makes me wiser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-thank-the-past-for-a-better-future-cause-pain-makes-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Douglas Horton > [Why ask why? If it's raining it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/why-ask-why-if-it-s-raining-it-just-is/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing value only after discarding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfishness-seeing-value-only-after/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [The more we are filled with thoughts of lust the less we find true romantic love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/the-more-we-are-filled-with-thoughts-of-lust-the-less-we-find-true/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If wishes were fishes we'd all be throwing nets. If wishes were horses we'd all ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-wishes-were-fishes-we-d-all-be-throwing-nets-if-wishes-were-horses/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Materialism is the only form of distraction from true bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/materialism-is-the-only-form-of-distraction-from-true-bliss/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/while-seeking-revenge-dig-two-graves-one-for-yourself/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If food were free, why work?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-food-were-free-why-work/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Thought precedes action, action does not always precede thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/thought-precedes-action-action-does-not-always-precede-thought/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Man worships because God lays His hand to the dust of our experience, and man miraculously becomes a living soul - and knows it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/man-worships-because-god-lays-his-hand-to-the-dust-of-our-experience/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Seeing the light is a choice, not seeing the light is no choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/seeing-the-light-is-a-choice-not-seeing-the-light-is-no-choice/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [First rule of Economics 101: our desires are insatiable. Second rule: we can stomach only three Big Macs at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/first-rule-of-economics-101-our-desires-are-insatiable-second-rule-we/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [We may not always get what we want, but surely we will get what we deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/we-may-not-always-get-what-we-want-but-surely-we-will-get-what-we/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Sherrill On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/sherrill-on-easter-day-the-veil-between-time-and-eternity-thins-to/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [As the fly bangs against the window attempting freedom while the door stands open, so we bang against death ignoring heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/as-the-fly-bangs-against-the-window-attempting-freedom-while-the-door/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Beauty is variable, ugliness is constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/beauty-is-variable-ugliness-is-constant/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) [Explore all 59 Douglas Horton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) ## More Comparison quotes > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You are Insignificant. One of millions, neither special nor unique. I did not ask for this ignominy, and I resent the comparison. Fine. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/you-are-insignificant-one-of-millions-neither-special-nor-unique-i/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [President Obama's achievements and failures must be evaluated by comparison to those chief executives who have come before him and not be measured against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-garrow/president-obama-s-achievements-and-failures-must-be-evaluated-by/) [David Garrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-garrow/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) [Barbara Kolb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kolb/) > [I think the first person to call me 'Britain's Obama' was Martin Bright at the New Statesman. Harriet Harman made the comparison once at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuka-umunna/i-think-the-first-person-to-call-me-britain-s-obama-was-martin-bright/) [Chuka Umunna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuka-umunna/) > [The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-insolence-of-base-minds-in-success-is-boundless-and-would-scarce/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The wise man does not permit himself to set up even in his own mind any comparisons of his friends. His friendship is capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/the-wise-man-does-not-permit-himself-to-set-up-even-in-his-own-mind/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [It’s always going to be easy to live like others or other’s life, because creating or innovating something of own is always difficult in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/it-s-always-going-to-be-easy-to-live-like-others-or-other-s-life/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The streets, at least in this part of town, seemed impossibly clean in comparison to London. The public telephones were unvandalised. For a London…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-streets-at-least-in-this-part-of-town-seemed-impossibly-clean-in/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [It is only through contact and comparison that the relative value or worthlessness of the various cultural elements can be clearly and critically seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hu-shih/it-is-only-through-contact-and-comparison-that-the-relative-value-or/) [Hu Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hu-shih/) > [I feel I'm in 2006 form to be honest. I hear a lot of comparisons to 2004, but I never changed. Last year was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecko-eskandarian/i-feel-i-m-in-2006-form-to-be-honest-i-hear-a-lot-of-comparisons-to/) [Alecko Eskandarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecko-eskandarian/) > [Perhaps the comparison is closer to the Chinese cook who leaves hardly any part of a duck unserved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/perhaps-the-comparison-is-closer-to-the-chinese-cook-who-leaves/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) [Browse all 1,152 Comparison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.[only if the past was better...if it was worse then you feel good that life is getting better]", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Douglas Horton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shattered-by-comparison-with-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comparison" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shattered-by-comparison-with-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/douglas-horton-11608_comparison_happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shatter_1956118.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.[only if the past was better...if it…” — Douglas Horton", "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": "Douglas Horton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Happiness in the present is only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shattered-by-comparison-with-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/happiness-in-the-present-is-only-shattered-by-comparison-with-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 } } ] } ```