--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How would you know what happy is if…" description: "\"How would you know what happy is if you've never been otherwise.\" — Malcolm Forbes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg" --- # How would you know what happy is if you've never been… ![“How would you know what happy is if you've never been otherwise.” quote by Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg) > “How would you know what happy is if you've never been otherwise.” [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## 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 only understood through contrast with unhappiness. **In simple terms:** You need contrast to know happiness. Key Takeaway Seek varied experiences to appreciate joy. Themes happiness contrast perception growth Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - mental health - life coaching Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What defines your happiness? - How do you handle periods of unhappiness? A Different Perspective Happiness can be fleeting without reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [“Will I ever be happy again?” “Do we even know we’re happy when we’re happy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-ross/will-i-ever-be-happy-again-do-we-even-know-we-re-happy-when-we-re/) [Rodney Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-ross/) > [You know I'm very happy with WWE, the company in which I still work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-steamboat/you-know-i-m-very-happy-with-wwe-the-company-in-which-i-still-work/) [Ricky Steamboat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-steamboat/) > [“So, this is my life. And I want you to know I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/so-this-is-my-life-and-i-want-you-to-know-i-am-both-happy-and-sad-and/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [I don't need a "reason" to be happy. I don't have to consult the future to know how happy I feel now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-don-t-need-a-reason-to-be-happy-i-don-t-have-to-consult-the-future/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Happiness is when you're happy because you've made somebody else happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/happiness-is-when-you-re-happy-because-you-ve-made-somebody-else-happy/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [But you can be happy, if you've a mind to!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-miller/but-you-can-be-happy-if-you-ve-a-mind-to/) [Roger Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-miller/) > [If you're happy, you've got the Lord on your side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reba-mcentire/if-you-re-happy-you-ve-got-the-lord-on-your-side/) [Reba McEntire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reba-mcentire/) > [I think I've been happy because I've been able to do what I believe in, and on my own terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-lauren/i-think-i-ve-been-happy-because-i-ve-been-able-to-do-what-i-believe/) [Ralph Lauren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-lauren/) > [If you spare yourself from those people who would do anything to make you happy I've got some news for you There's always someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tshepo-koos-maluleke/if-you-spare-yourself-from-those-people-who-would-do-anything-to-make/) [Tshepo Koos Maluleke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tshepo-koos-maluleke/) > [I'm always happy. I've just got a mean face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/i-m-always-happy-i-ve-just-got-a-mean-face/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [You don't have to add anything in order to be happy; you've got to drop something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/you-don-t-have-to-add-anything-in-order-to-be-happy-you-ve-got-to/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [I'm happy that we've won a lot of games. I don't think about it. I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-boeheim/i-m-happy-that-we-ve-won-a-lot-of-games-i-don-t-think-about-it-i-don-t/) [Jim Boeheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-boeheim/) > [“i have what i have and i am happy i’ve lost what i’ve lost and i am still happy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/i-have-what-i-have-and-i-am-happy-i-ve-lost-what-i-ve-lost-and-i-am/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [You can either take it as a way to motivate yourself or be happy with what you've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bonderman/you-can-either-take-it-as-a-way-to-motivate-yourself-or-be-happy-with/) [Jeremy Bonderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bonderman/) > [I am happy with what I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanoi-hannah/i-am-happy-with-what-i-ve-done/) [Hanoi Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanoi-hannah/) ## More by Malcolm Forbes > [Once in a while there's wisdom in recognizing that the Boss is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/once-in-a-while-there-s-wisdom-in-recognizing-that-the-boss-is/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [ I don't think anybody can be a success who doesn't like what they do. \[But it's\] no job if it has no challenge; there's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/i-don-t-think-anybody-can-be-a-success-who-doesn-t-like-what-they-do/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Why, just a couple of economic seasons ago, was idle cash considered an indication of bad management or lazy management? Because it meant that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/why-just-a-couple-of-economic-seasons-ago-was-idle-cash-considered-an/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Real writers-that is, capital W Writers-rarely make much money. Their biggest reward is the occasional reader's response… Commentators-in-print voicing big fat opinions-you might call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/real-writers-that-is-capital-w-writers-rarely-make-much-money-their/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/when-things-are-bad-we-take-comfort-in-the-thought-that-they-could/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Some people as a result of adversity are sadder, wiser, kinder, more human. Most of us are better, though, when things go better. Knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/some-people-as-a-result-of-adversity-are-sadder-wiser-kinder-more/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [The best vision is insight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/the-best-vision-is-insight/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [When you don't understand, it's sometimes easier to look like you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/when-you-don-t-understand-it-s-sometimes-easier-to-look-like-you-do/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-s-so-much-easier-to-suggest-solutions-when-you-don-t-know-too-much/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Security isn't securities. It's knowing that someone cares whether you are or cease to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/security-isn-t-securities-it-s-knowing-that-someone-cares-whether-you/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It is unfortunate we can't buy many business executives for what they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-is-unfortunate-we-can-t-buy-many-business-executives-for-what-they/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing Prison or Harvard. We hire a man, not his history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-is-all-one-to-me-if-a-man-comes-from-sing-sing-prison-or-harvard/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Compliment others on the virtues they have; and they're not half as pleased as being complimented for the ones they don't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/compliment-others-on-the-virtues-they-have-and-they-re-not-half-as/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [. . . the most difficult thing asked by our young is not our earnings but our ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/the-most-difficult-thing-asked-by-our-young-is-not-our-earnings-but/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) [Explore all 232 Malcolm Forbes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## More Funny quotes > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers & think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [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/) > [Congratulations to Facebook on going public with all my private information...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/congratulations-to-facebook-on-going-public-with-all-my-private/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why are things as they are and not otherwise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/why-are-things-as-they-are-and-not-otherwise/) [Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Penis goes in , sperms cums out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/penis-goes-in-sperms-cums-out/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [Don't think OF the market. Think AS the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fishman/don-t-think-of-the-market-think-as-the-market/) Michael Fishman [Browse all 39,858 Funny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "How would you know what happy is if you've never been otherwise.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malcolm Forbes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you-ve-never-been-otherwise/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Funny" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you-ve-never-been-otherwise/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/malcolm-forbes-1510_funny_how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you_536000.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“How would you know what happy is if you've never been otherwise.” — Malcolm Forbes", "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": "Malcolm Forbes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "How would you know what happy...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you-ve-never-been-otherwise/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/how-would-you-know-what-happy-is-if-you-ve-never-been-otherwise/#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 } } ] } ```