--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you look to others for fulfillment…" description: "\"If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg" --- # If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be… ![“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg) > “If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking fulfillment from others prevents true inner satisfaction. **In simple terms:** Relying on others for happiness blocks real fulfillment. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance for lasting contentment. Themes self‑reliance fulfillment inner peace Mood thoughtful serene Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - relationships - career goals - personal growth - spiritual practice Key Concepts philosophy spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What does fulfillment mean to you personally? - How can you nurture inner satisfaction? A Different Perspective Dependency can lead to disappointment and loss of autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being happy with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-happy-with-yourself/) [Fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfillment/) [Happy with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-with-yourself/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Million little pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/million-little-pieces/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Tao te ching leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-te-ching-leadership/) ## Related quotes > [“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-truly-be/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [I believe that the only way to truly be fulfilled, the only way to truly be the person that God created us to be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-warner/i-believe-that-the-only-way-to-truly-be-fulfilled-the-only-way-to/) [Kurt Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-warner/) > [Instead of seeking success we should look for fulfillment. And fulfillment is giving total attention to the process of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kumar/instead-of-seeking-success-we-should-look-for-fulfillment-and/) [Satish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kumar/) > [“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-truly-be-2/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [Success to me is being happy, truly fulfilled, being proud of myself, and doing different things all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leighton-meester/success-to-me-is-being-happy-truly-fulfilled-being-proud-of-myself/) [Leighton Meester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leighton-meester/) > [There is another element that is a part of human happiness — and that is that unless we think of others and do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lyman-wilbur/there-is-another-element-that-is-a-part-of-human-happiness-and-that/) [Ray Lyman Wilbur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lyman-wilbur/) > [Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/just-because-they-re-not-on-your-road-doesn-t-mean-they-ve-gotten-lost/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gregory/one-of-the-things-i-keep-learning-is-that-the-secret-of-being-happy/) [Dick Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gregory/) > [The true way to soften one's troubles is to solace those of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-d-aubigne-marquise-de-maintenon/the-true-way-to-soften-one-s-troubles-is-to-solace-those-of-others/) [Francoise d'Aubigne, Marquise de Maintenon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-d-aubigne-marquise-de-maintenon/) > [Cult: simply an extension of the idea that everyone's supreme aim in life is self- fulfillment and happiness and that one is entitled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-spender/cult-simply-an-extension-of-the-idea-that-everyone-s-supreme-aim-in/) [Stephen Spender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-spender/) > [Music will inevitably get you into Philosophy, and once you logically see that through, will end up getting you into Theology. Once you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-vannelli/music-will-inevitably-get-you-into-philosophy-and-once-you-logically/) [Gino Vannelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-vannelli/) > [You do learn things and one of them is that happiness has nothing to do with validation from other people, the important thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/you-do-learn-things-and-one-of-them-is-that-happiness-has-nothing-to/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [I think no matter what you look like, the key is to first of all be happy with yourself. And then you know if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-think-no-matter-what-you-look-like-the-key-is-to-first-of-all-be/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [You need to be happy with yourself or you'll never be able to be happy in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/you-need-to-be-happy-with-yourself-or-you-ll-never-be-able-to-be/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [Independnce comes from you knowing who you are and you being happy with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/independnce-comes-from-you-knowing-who-you-are-and-you-being-happy/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Being happy with yourself quotes > [Independnce comes from you knowing who you are and you being happy with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/independnce-comes-from-you-knowing-who-you-are-and-you-being-happy/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [You need to be happy with yourself or you'll never be able to be happy in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/you-need-to-be-happy-with-yourself-or-you-ll-never-be-able-to-be/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [I think no matter what you look like, the key is to first of all be happy with yourself. And then you know if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-think-no-matter-what-you-look-like-the-key-is-to-first-of-all-be/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [You do learn things and one of them is that happiness has nothing to do with validation from other people, the important thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/you-do-learn-things-and-one-of-them-is-that-happiness-has-nothing-to/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [Music will inevitably get you into Philosophy, and once you logically see that through, will end up getting you into Theology. Once you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-vannelli/music-will-inevitably-get-you-into-philosophy-and-once-you-logically/) [Gino Vannelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-vannelli/) > [The problem is, I don't think I've got too much to offer at the minute. I'm busy working on myself. This sounds like real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/the-problem-is-i-don-t-think-i-ve-got-too-much-to-offer-at-the-minute/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) > [Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fame-or-integrity-which-is-more-important-money-or-happiness-which-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Exploiting yourself sexually is not a good look. I don't find it encouraging...I just stand there and sing. I'm not worried that I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/exploiting-yourself-sexually-is-not-a-good-look-i-don-t-find-it/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/you-must-love-yourself-before-you-love-another-by-accepting-yourself/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [You have to be happy with yourself first of all - that's the most important thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aly-michalka/you-have-to-be-happy-with-yourself-first-of-all-that-s-the-most/) [Aly Michalka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aly-michalka/) > [To me 'they lived happily ever after' means to be happy with yourself! My parents always taught me that being happy has to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/to-me-they-lived-happily-ever-after-means-to-be-happy-with-yourself/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [You can either hold yourself up to the unrealistic standards of others, or ignore them and concentrate on being happy with yourself as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeph-jacques/you-can-either-hold-yourself-up-to-the-unrealistic-standards-of/) [Jeph Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeph-jacques/) > [You have to be in love with yourself before anyone else can fall in love with you; to be happy with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-allen/you-have-to-be-in-love-with-yourself-before-anyone-else-can-fall-in/) [Lily Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-allen/) > [Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/ask-yourself-whether-you-are-happy-and-you-cease-to-be-so/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [I collect art, and I drink wine... things that I like that I had never been exposed to. But I never said, 'I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-collect-art-and-i-drink-wine-things-that-i-like-that-i-had-never/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) [Browse all 16 Being happy with yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-happy-with-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-be-truly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being happy with yourself" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-be-truly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/laozi-147_being-happy-with-you_if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-yo_172948.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.” — Laozi", "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": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you look to others for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-be-truly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-be-truly/#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 } } ] } ```