--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never thought I'd be using this phrase…" description: "\"I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit of happiness - that's my right.\" — Jenifer Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg" --- # I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit… ![“I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit of happiness - that's my right.” quote by Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg) > “I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit of happiness - that's my right.” [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker asserts that seeking happiness is a fundamental entitlement, not a luxury. **In simple terms:** Happiness is a basic right. Key Takeaway Recognize and claim your right to happiness. Themes rights happiness self‑determination Mood hopeful empowering Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - mental health - career decisions - relationship choices Key Concepts human rights well‑being Questions to Reflect On - What does happiness mean to you personally? - How can you protect your right to happiness? A Different Perspective Happiness can be hindered by external circumstances or internal doubts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [To me, that's the key thing, the pursuit of happiness. That's the basic, ultimate freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-garcia/to-me-that-s-the-key-thing-the-pursuit-of-happiness-that-s-the-basic/) [Jerry Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-garcia/) > [My aim in life isn't so much the pursuit of happiness as the happiness of pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-saatchi/my-aim-in-life-isn-t-so-much-the-pursuit-of-happiness-as-the/) [Charles Saatchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-saatchi/) > [It is the pursuit of happiness that brings us happiness, and not the happiness achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-white/it-is-the-pursuit-of-happiness-that-brings-us-happiness-and-not-the/) [Jack White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-white/) > [I am Gabrielle Anwar: mother, lover, daughter, sister, friend, and creator in the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-anwar/i-am-gabrielle-anwar-mother-lover-daughter-sister-friend-and-creator/) [Gabrielle Anwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-anwar/) > [The pursuit of happiness...is the greatest feat man has to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-the-greatest-feat-man-has-to-accomplish/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [“Then what do you want with me?'... 'The pursuit of happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwidge-danticat/then-what-do-you-want-with-me-the-pursuit-of-happiness/) [Edwidge Danticat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwidge-danticat/) > [All around the country, individuals are choosing to redefine their lives and the pursuit of happiness in ways much closer to the original notion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/all-around-the-country-individuals-are-choosing-to-redefine-their/) [Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/) > [It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/it-takes-great-wit-and-interest-and-energy-to-be-happy-the-pursuit-of/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [“The pursuit of happiness is more elusive, it is life long and not goal-centered. Whant you are pusuing is meaning - a meaningful life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-more-elusive-it-is-life-long-and-not-goal/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [“The pursuit of prosperity shouldn't stop you from the pursuit of happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/the-pursuit-of-prosperity-shouldn-t-stop-you-from-the-pursuit-of/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [Reading is by far the most successful pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grisham/reading-is-by-far-the-most-successful-pursuit-of-happiness/) [John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grisham/) > [Thomas Jefferson was a real poet. He was slick with that 'pursuit' of happiness because the 'pursuit' puts it back on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/thomas-jefferson-was-a-real-poet-he-was-slick-with-that-pursuit-of/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [For many, many people, getting married is one of the most important things they will ever do in the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/for-many-many-people-getting-married-is-one-of-the-most-important/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [If there is an abiding theme in 'The Pursuit of Happiness,' it is the idea that you come into the world already shaped by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-kennedy/if-there-is-an-abiding-theme-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-it-is-the/) [Douglas Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-kennedy/) > [I'm on the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/i-m-on-the-pursuit-of-happiness/) [Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/) ## More by Jenifer Lewis > [“And, I want other women to know they can stand up and MUST stand up to your persecutors. Feel the fear, and do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/and-i-want-other-women-to-know-they-can-stand-up-and-must-stand-up-to/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [“Every now and then I would still fuck up with the people I loved the most. And they loved me enough to tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/every-now-and-then-i-would-still-fuck-up-with-the-people-i-loved-the/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [Love yourself, so that love will not be a stranger when it comes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/love-yourself-so-that-love-will-not-be-a-stranger-when-it-comes/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I've been burn when it comes to my hair that it ain't no joke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-ve-been-burn-when-it-comes-to-my-hair-that-it-ain-t-no-joke/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [Creativity does not stop just because you're over 50. Hollywood spits female actresses out after age 29, but you don't stop creating. If anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/creativity-does-not-stop-just-because-you-re-over-50-hollywood-spits/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [“I go inside. I become Ruby Johnson. I deliver my first line. Within seconds, I hear the sound I’d been listening for all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-go-inside-i-become-ruby-johnson-i-deliver-my-first-line-within/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I sang in church at 5. When I saw the reaction, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-sang-in-church-at-5-when-i-saw-the-reaction-i-knew-what-i-wanted-to/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [If you just want to be a star, go away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/if-you-just-want-to-be-a-star-go-away/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I never gave up. I never quit. I've been a leader all my life, from elementary school to president of my class to excelling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-never-gave-up-i-never-quit-i-ve-been-a-leader-all-my-life-from/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I still go to a salon where a gal does my hair, and I don't know if it's because I'm a celebrity but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-still-go-to-a-salon-where-a-gal-does-my-hair-and-i-don-t-know-if-it/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [It's important to e alive in those moment, especially when you're doing something you love to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/it-s-important-to-e-alive-in-those-moment-especially-when-you-re/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [Sometimes I think I take on a lot of work but that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/sometimes-i-think-i-take-on-a-lot-of-work-but-that-s-me/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [You are a black goddess when you come out the salon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/you-are-a-black-goddess-when-you-come-out-the-salon/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I don't have any beauty shop memories. I remember the barber shop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-don-t-have-any-beauty-shop-memories-i-remember-the-barber-shop/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) > [I was gifted at birth with this talent, and I've tried to honor it all my life. And I did - through hell and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-was-gifted-at-birth-with-this-talent-and-i-ve-tried-to-honor-it-all/) [Jenifer Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) [Explore all 68 Jenifer Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/) ## More Happiness quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I've got nothing to do today but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-got-nothing-to-do-today-but-smile/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/her-dignity-consists-in-being-unknown-to-the-world-her-glory-is-in/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/positive-thinking-evokes-more-energy-more-initiative-more-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes [Browse all 40,288 Happiness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit of happiness - that's my right.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jenifer Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase-but-the-pursuit-of-happiness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Happiness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase-but-the-pursuit-of-happiness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/jenifer-lewis-9983_happiness_i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase_1304693.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but the pursuit of happiness - that's my right.” — Jenifer Lewis", "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": "Jenifer Lewis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-lewis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never thought I'd be using...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase-but-the-pursuit-of-happiness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-lewis/i-never-thought-i-d-be-using-this-phrase-but-the-pursuit-of-happiness/#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 } } ] } ```