--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We thought we had such problems. How were…" description: "\"We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?\" — Margaret Atwood" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/margaret-atwood-40_happiness_we-thought-we-had-such-problems-how-were_2325001.jpg" --- # We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we… ![“We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/margaret-atwood-40_happiness_we-thought-we-had-such-problems-how-were_2325001.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/margaret-atwood-40_happiness_we-thought-we-had-such-problems-how-were_2325001.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/margaret-atwood-40_happiness_we-thought-we-had-such-problems-how-were_2325001.jpg) > “We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?” [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We often overlook happiness until it’s gone, mistaking complacency for discontent. **In simple terms:** We miss happiness until it’s lost. Key Takeaway Appreciate present contentment. Themes contentment awareness reflection Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily routine - relationships - career satisfaction - health checks Key Concepts mindfulness existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What signs indicate you’re truly happy? - How can you stay mindful of contentment? A Different Perspective May downplay genuine struggles by equating them with complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [“Possible, impossible. What could be done? We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/possible-impossible-what-could-be-done-we-thought-we-had-such/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“It was the thought of him that I had problems with, I realised. The reality was really rather desirable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/it-was-the-thought-of-him-that-i-had-problems-with-i-realised-the/) [Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/) > [Do not think about sin, he thought. There are enough problems now without sin. Also I have no understanding of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/do-not-think-about-sin-he-thought-there-are-enough-problems-now/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [I've always cared about issues, always thought through problems. I don't know how much that comes from my personality or my mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-cole/i-ve-always-cared-about-issues-always-thought-through-problems-i-don/) [Lily Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-cole/) > [With thought, all problems can be resolved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/with-thought-all-problems-can-be-resolved/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [And I thought I had problems? Look at your face!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-lynes/and-i-thought-i-had-problems-look-at-your-face/) [Russell Lynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-lynes/) > [“How were we to know we were happy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/how-were-we-to-know-we-were-happy/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [We know the problems… and we know the solution; sustainable development. The issue is the political will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/we-know-the-problems-and-we-know-the-solution-sustainable-development/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [People don't realize that, you know, we have - "we" meaning people in show business have the same problems as everybody else. Money don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/people-don-t-realize-that-you-know-we-have-we-meaning-people-in-show/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [We know kindness alone won't solve the world's problems, but we do know it can impact a person's ability to get through their day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-germanotta/we-know-kindness-alone-won-t-solve-the-world-s-problems-but-we-do/) [Cynthia Germanotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-germanotta/) > [I like to solve problems. I know it is a skill set, but it's also an obligation. I grew up with parents who believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-abrams/i-like-to-solve-problems-i-know-it-is-a-skill-set-but-it-s-also-an/) [Stacey Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-abrams/) ## More by Margaret Atwood > [“I'm fine," said Pilar, "for the moment. And the moment is the only time we can be fine in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-m-fine-said-pilar-for-the-moment-and-the-moment-is-the-only-time-we/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [And yet it disturbs me to learn I have hurt someone unintentionally. I want all my hurts to be intentional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/and-yet-it-disturbs-me-to-learn-i-have-hurt-someone-unintentionally-i/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The birds were singing around me, but I reflected that the very birds were strangers to me, for I did not even know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-birds-were-singing-around-me-but-i-reflected-that-the-very-birds/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Strange how we decorate pain. These ribbons, for instance, and the small hard teardrops of blood. Who are they for? Do we think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/strange-how-we-decorate-pain-these-ribbons-for-instance-and-the-small/) [margaret atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I wanted to forget the past, but it refused to forget me; it waited for sleep, then cornered me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-wanted-to-forget-the-past-but-it-refused-to-forget-me-it-waited-for/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Back at home they drew the curtains and read, with disapproval, with relish, with avidity and glee - even the ones who'd never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/back-at-home-they-drew-the-curtains-and-read-with-disapproval-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“It's my fault. I am forgetting too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-my-fault-i-am-forgetting-too-much/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [All fiction is about people, unless it's about rabbits pretending to be people. It's all essentially characters in action, which means characters moving through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/all-fiction-is-about-people-unless-it-s-about-rabbits-pretending-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Simon walks back to the house alone. The night is clear and warm, with a moon, almost full, enclosed in a nimbus of mist;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/simon-walks-back-to-the-house-alone-the-night-is-clear-and-warm-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“There is indeed something delightful about being able to combine obedience and disobedience in the same act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-is-indeed-something-delightful-about-being-able-to-combine/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/every-time-the-women-appear-snowman-is-astonished-all-over-again-they/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Once you publish a book, it is out of your control. You cannot dictate how people read it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/once-you-publish-a-book-it-is-out-of-your-control-you-cannot-dictate/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The more difficult it was to love the particular man beside us, the more we believed in Love, abstract and total. We were waiting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-more-difficult-it-was-to-love-the-particular-man-beside-us-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“She knows she's deceiving herself about that, but she prefers to deceive herself. She desperately needs to believe such pure joy is still possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/she-knows-she-s-deceiving-herself-about-that-but-she-prefers-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) [Explore all 2,072 Margaret Atwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## 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": "We thought we had such problems. 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