--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are as happy as people can be, without…" description: "\"We are as happy as people can be, without making themselves ridiculous, and might be even happier; but, as a matter of taste, we choose to stop short a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/nathaniel-hawthorne-461_happier_we-are-as-happy-as-people-can-be-without_2420786.jpg" --- # We are as happy as people can be, without making… ![“We are as happy as people can be, without making themselves ridiculous, and might be even happier; but, as a matter of taste, we choose to stop short at this point.” quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/nathaniel-hawthorne-461_happier_we-are-as-happy-as-people-can-be-without_2420786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/nathaniel-hawthorne-461_happier_we-are-as-happy-as-people-can-be-without_2420786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/nathaniel-hawthorne-461_happier_we-are-as-happy-as-people-can-be-without_2420786.jpg) > “We are as happy as people can be, without making themselves ridiculous, and might be even happier; but, as a matter of taste, we choose to stop short at this point.” [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People can find contentment without excess, yet personal taste often limits even that happiness. **In simple terms:** Contentment is possible without excess; taste may limit it. Key Takeaway Accept modest joy, avoid overindulgence. Themes contentment moderation personal taste Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily life - personal relationships - career choices - financial decisions Key Concepts hedonism self‑restraint subjective satisfaction Questions to Reflect On - What limits your happiness? - How does taste shape your choices? A Different Perspective Excess can sometimes lead to unexpected fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happier/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happy people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [To stop short in any research that bids fair to widen the gates of knowledge, to recoil from fear of difficulty or adverse criticism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-crookes/to-stop-short-in-any-research-that-bids-fair-to-widen-the-gates-of/) [William Crookes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-crookes/) > [I stop short of being a workaholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-davis/i-stop-short-of-being-a-workaholic/) [Jim Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-davis/) > [Stop short of your appetite; eat less than you are able.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/stop-short-of-your-appetite-eat-less-than-you-are-able/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Wise travelers always stop short before they come to danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/wise-travelers-always-stop-short-before-they-come-to-danger/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Better stop short than fill to the brim. 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I think they close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack/i-think-everyone-does-even-happy-people-they-may-not-admit-it-to/) [Cora Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack/) ## More by Nathaniel Hawthorne > [“there was something of the women molded into the great, stalwart frame of Hollingsworth; nor was he ashamed of it; as men often are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/there-was-something-of-the-women-molded-into-the-great-stalwart-frame/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [The trees reflected in the river - they are unconscious of a spiritual world so near to them. 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The Egyptian is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/as-the-architecture-of-a-country-always-follows-the-earliest/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [What we call real estate - the solid ground to build a house on - is the broad foundation on which nearly all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/what-we-call-real-estate-the-solid-ground-to-build-a-house-on-is-the/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [“The bookworm of great libraries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-bookworm-of-great-libraries/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [There are many things in this world that a child must not ask about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/there-are-many-things-in-this-world-that-a-child-must-not-ask-about/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) [Explore all 526 Nathaniel Hawthorne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) ## More Happier quotes > [“If we can focus on making clear what parts of our day are within our control and what parts are not, we will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/if-we-can-focus-on-making-clear-what-parts-of-our-day-are-within-our/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Smile and show him that life is still going on and is happier without him..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika/smile-and-show-him-that-life-is-still-going-on-and-is-happier-without/) [Bhumika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika/) > [“I am happier when I love than when I am loved. 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