Happiness Quote by Erma Bombeck
““I want to teach you so much that you must know to find happiness within yourself. Yet I don't know where to begin or how. I want you to be a square. That's right, a square! I want you to kiss your grandmother when you walk into the room even if you're with friends...I want you to lend dignity to the things you believe in and respect for the things you don't believe in. I want you to be a human begin who needs friends, and in turn deserves them. I want you to be a square who polishes his shoes, buttons the top button of his shirt occasionally, and stands straight and looks people in the eye when they are talking to you. There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. I want you to know the difference.””
About This Quote
Source Column: The New Yorker, 1995
Encourages self‑knowledge, dignity, and balanced emotional expression through vivid, quirky advice.
In simple terms: Know yourself, respect others, and balance joy and sorrow.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑respect and emotional awareness.
Themes
self‑growth
empathy
balance
humor
Mood
warm
humorous
inspirational
Type
advice
personal
When to use this quote
- personal development
- family interactions
- public speaking
Key Concepts
identity
social norms
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- What values guide your daily actions?
- How do you balance seriousness and playfulness?
A Different Perspective
Advice may feel overly prescriptive for some readers.
