--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness is a myth we seek, If…" description: "\"Happiness is a myth we seek, If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks. For man is happy only in His ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edd/khalil-gibran-286_aim_happiness-is-a-myth-we-seek-if-manifeste_2654827.jpg" --- # Happiness is a myth we seek, If manifested surely irks… ![“Happiness is a myth we seek, If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks. For man is happy only in His aspiration to the heights; When he attains his goal, he cools And longs for other distant flights.” quote by Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edd/khalil-gibran-286_aim_happiness-is-a-myth-we-seek-if-manifeste_2654827.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edd/khalil-gibran-286_aim_happiness-is-a-myth-we-seek-if-manifeste_2654827.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edd/khalil-gibran-286_aim_happiness-is-a-myth-we-seek-if-manifeste_2654827.jpg) > “Happiness is a myth we seek, If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks. For man is happy only in His aspiration to the heights; When he attains his goal, he cools And longs for other distant flights.” [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness is fleeting; true fulfillment comes from continual aspiration toward higher goals. **In simple terms:** Happiness fades; keep aiming higher. Key Takeaway Pursue growth, not static joy. Themes aspiration fulfillment transience Mood hopeful reflective Type poetic inspirational When to use this quote - career - personal development - art Key Concepts philosophy spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What aspirations drive you? - How do you enjoy the journey? A Different Perspective Fixating on goals can cause chronic dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Always be happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-be-happy/) [Always happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-happy/) [Arrivals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrivals/) [Aspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspiration/) [Attainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attainment/) [Being happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-happy/) [Cooling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooling/) [Flight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flight/) [Flowing river](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flowing-river/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals and objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-and-objectives/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-myth-2378423/) [Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy/) [Happy Aspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-aspiration-2378424/) [Height](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/height/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Longing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longing/) [Man Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-happy/) [Manifestation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifestation/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth/) [Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivers/) [Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeking/) [Slowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slowing/) [Speeding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speeding/) [You make me happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you-make-me-happy/) ## Related quotes > [The pleasure which we most rarely experience gives us greatest delight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-pleasure-which-we-most-rarely-experience-gives-us-greatest-delight/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/i-have-just-one-day-today-and-i-m-going-to-be-happy-in-it/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [Every man has his secret sorrows...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/every-man-has-his-secret-sorrows/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“Sustainable Happiness is a myth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amiz-amit-prakash/sustainable-happiness-is-a-myth/) [AMIZ AMIT PRAKASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amiz-amit-prakash/) > [Happiness is a myth. It was invented to make us buy new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/happiness-is-a-myth-it-was-invented-to-make-us-buy-new-things/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [“It seems to us that there are four great collective sociological assumptions in the modern world. By this we mean not only the Western…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/it-seems-to-us-that-there-are-four-great-collective-sociological/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [“What is Happiness? Happiness is a myth. It doesn't exist. What we call happiness is merely a temporary sensation of excitement that we receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/what-is-happiness-happiness-is-a-myth-it-doesn-t-exist-what-we-call/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-compassion-to-be-one-of-the-few-things-we-can-practice-that-2/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/there-is-only-one-cause-of-unhappiness-the-false-beliefs-you-have-in-2/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/a-quiet-secluded-life-in-the-country-with-the-possibility-of-being/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Happiness is a state of activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-is-a-state-of-activity/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Every single day I want you to be happy and full of joy, just like you make me happy by just passing through my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-white/every-single-day-i-want-you-to-be-happy-and-full-of-joy-just-like-you/) [Donna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-white/) > [When she didn't continue, he shrugged. "Just let me bring you coffee. I want to wait on you. Makes me happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/when-she-didn-t-continue-he-shrugged-just-let-me-bring-you-coffee-i/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, ‘I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/actions-speak-louder-than-words-and-a-smile-says-i-like-you-you-make/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Men spend their lives in anticipations,—in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/men-spend-their-lives-in-anticipations-in-determining-to-be-vastly/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## More by Khalil Gibran > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/hate-is-a-dead-thing-who-of-you-would-be-a-tomb/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The truly just is he who feels half guilty of your misdeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-truly-just-is-he-who-feels-half-guilty-of-your-misdeeds/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“follow the steps trust them and yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/follow-the-steps-trust-them-and-yourself/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/i-have-never-agreed-with-my-other-self-wholly-the-truth-of-the-matter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-pray-in-your-distress-and-in-your-need-would-that-you-might-also/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it, And the clay that fills your ears shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-veil-that-clouds-your-eyes-shall-be-lifted-by-the-hands-that-wove/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/joy-and-sorrow-are-inseparable-together-they-come-and-when-one-sits/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled. And like the ether it lifts but the winged. Even like the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/like-the-ocean-is-your-god-self-it-remains-for-ever-undefiled-and/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) [Explore all 688 Khalil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Happiness is a myth we seek, If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks. 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