--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Generally speaking, the most miserable…" description: "\"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/gordon-b-hinckley-331_charity_generally-speaking-the-most-miserable-pe_2784409.jpg" --- # Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are… ![“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” quote by Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/gordon-b-hinckley-331_charity_generally-speaking-the-most-miserable-pe_2784409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/gordon-b-hinckley-331_charity_generally-speaking-the-most-miserable-pe_2784409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/gordon-b-hinckley-331_charity_generally-speaking-the-most-miserable-pe_2784409.jpg) > “Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑obsessed people are miserable; those who serve others find happiness. **In simple terms:** Self‑centeredness breeds misery; service brings joy. Key Takeaway Prioritize helping others. Themes happiness service selflessness psychology Mood inspirational thoughtful Type spiritual psychological When to use this quote - volunteering - community work - team leadership - mental health practice Key Concepts altruism ego theory well‑being research Questions to Reflect On - How does service improve personal fulfillment? - What barriers prevent self‑less action? A Different Perspective Service can be exploited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Complain Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complain-life-744299/) [Complaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaining/) [Happiest people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiest-people/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable/) [Miserable people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable-people/) [Obsessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessed/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Speaking Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speaking-miserable-3334301/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/by-and-large-i-have-come-to-see-that-if-we-complain-about-life-it-is/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/the-happiest-people-i-know-are-those-who-lose-themselves-in-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The happiest of people is the one under whose care people are happy because of him, and the most miserable of people is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umar/the-happiest-of-people-is-the-one-under-whose-care-people-are-happy/) [Umar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umar/) > [Success is not a destination: It is a journey. The happiest people I know are those who are busy working toward specific objectives. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/success-is-not-a-destination-it-is-a-journey-the-happiest-people-i/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [This is the reason we cannot complain of life: it keeps no one against his will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/this-is-the-reason-we-cannot-complain-of-life-it-keeps-no-one-against/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [I complain about my life. I used to complain about boys or not being able to drive or failing a test. Now I complain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourey-sidibe/i-complain-about-my-life-i-used-to-complain-about-boys-or-not-being/) [Gabourey Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourey-sidibe/) > [The Jews are the most miserable people on earth. They are plagued everywhere, and scattered about all countries, having no certain resting place. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/the-jews-are-the-most-miserable-people-on-earth-they-are-plagued/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [The less you want, the richer you are. The more you need in order to be happy, the more miserable you’ll be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/the-less-you-want-the-richer-you-are-the-more-you-need-in-order-to-be/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) > [I swear its some miserable people in this world...How can you hate somebody you don't know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-swear-its-some-miserable-people-in-this-world-how-can-you-hate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Miserable people focus on the things they hate about their life. Happy people focus on the things they love about their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/miserable-people-focus-on-the-things-they-hate-about-their-life-happy/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Miserable people always try and make themselves sound SUPER happy over social networks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/miserable-people-always-try-and-make-themselves-sound-super-happy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've finally figured out that surrounding yourself with miserable people will only make you miserable as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-finally-figured-out-that-surrounding-yourself-with-miserable/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are so many miserable people out there who have not fulfilled their dreams. I believe you should do something that you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/there-are-so-many-miserable-people-out-there-who-have-not-fulfilled/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [Never be around people who complain about their life... they're weak...I have no time for weak people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-around-people-who-complain-about-their-life-they-re-weak-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm so damn lucky to still be here at 85. If I get a hangnail, I don't dare complain! Life is good. I wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-moreno/i-m-so-damn-lucky-to-still-be-here-at-85-if-i-get-a-hangnail-i-don-t/) [Rita Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-moreno/) ## More by Gordon B. Hinckley > [“Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/now-we-are-at-war-great-forces-have-been-mobilized-and-will-continue/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [“Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/do-not-trade-your-birthright-as-a-mother-for-some-bauble-of-passing/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Some husbands regard it as their prerogative to compel their wives to fit their standards of what they think to be the ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/some-husbands-regard-it-as-their-prerogative-to-compel-their-wives-to/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There have been times when a particularly heavy dose of such cynicism has caused me to reflect that surely this is the age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-have-been-times-when-a-particularly-heavy-dose-of-such-cynicism/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance, with forbearance one for another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-must-work-harder-to-build-mutual-respect-an-attitude-of-tolerance/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Who can calculate the wounds inflicted, their depth and pain, by harsh and mean words spoken in anger? How pitiful a sight is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/who-can-calculate-the-wounds-inflicted-their-depth-and-pain-by-harsh/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/if-you-will-make-your-first-concern-the-comfort-the-well-being-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/get-on-your-knees-and-pray-then-get-on-your-feet-and-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [I have now been an officer in this Church for a very long time. I am an old man who cannot deny the calendar.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-have-now-been-an-officer-in-this-church-for-a-very-long-time-i-am/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Books represent the accumulated workings of the human mind, the endless treasures of man's thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/books-represent-the-accumulated-workings-of-the-human-mind-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The Voice of Heaven is a still small voice. The voice of peace in the home is a quiet voice. There is need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/the-voice-of-heaven-is-a-still-small-voice-the-voice-of-peace-in-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We wear on our faces the results of what we believe and how we behave, and such behavior is most evident in the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-wear-on-our-faces-the-results-of-what-we-believe-and-how-we-behave/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [You are great young people. I have said again and again, we have the finest generation of young people ever in the history of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/you-are-great-young-people-i-have-said-again-and-again-we-have-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Work without vision is drudgery. Vision without work is dreaming. Work plus vision-this is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/work-without-vision-is-drudgery-vision-without-work-is-dreaming-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There is no association richer than the companionship of husband and wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-is-no-association-richer-than-the-companionship-of-husband-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) [Explore all 669 Gordon B. Hinckley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## More Charity quotes > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I would have none of that rigid circumspect charity which is never done without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the truth of the necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/i-would-have-none-of-that-rigid-circumspect-charity-which-is-never/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [The next time you're looking at a charity, don't ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) [F. A. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-a-harper/) > [I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/i-shall-pray-god-to-send-charity-into-this-hideous-world-and-sympathy/) [John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/) > [It is thus only this personal feeling of misery that we get rid of by acts of pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-thus-only-this-personal-feeling-of-misery-that-we-get-rid-of-by/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Considering community support and cost-benefit analysis, I have supported earmarks for projects of high public purpose involving such areas as higher education, alternative energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/considering-community-support-and-cost-benefit-analysis-i-have/) [Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/) > [It's always great to be able to give back to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-vucevic/it-s-always-great-to-be-able-to-give-back-to-the-community/) [Nikola Vucevic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-vucevic/) > [Slander is a poison which kills charity, both in the slanderer and the one who listens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-of-clairvaux/slander-is-a-poison-which-kills-charity-both-in-the-slanderer-and-the/) [Bernard of Clairvaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-of-clairvaux/) > [I like to give back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-like-to-give-back/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [We have to restore power to the family, to the neighborhood, and the community with a non-market principle, a principle of equality, of charity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/we-have-to-restore-power-to-the-family-to-the-neighborhood-and-the/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I own about 300 pairs of shoes. When I start to go over 300, I have mini-sales from my closet and give the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/i-own-about-300-pairs-of-shoes-when-i-start-to-go-over-300-i-have/) [Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/) [Browse all 2,477 Charity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gordon B. 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