--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life isn't about having, it's about…" description: "\"“Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/nick-vujicic-1681_contentment_life-isn-t-about-having-it-s-about-being_2040190.png" --- # Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could… ![“Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be. I know people with perfect bodies who don't have half the happiness I've found. On my journeys I've seen more joy in the slums of Mumbai and the…” quote by Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/nick-vujicic-1681_contentment_life-isn-t-about-having-it-s-about-being_2040190.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/nick-vujicic-1681_contentment_life-isn-t-about-having-it-s-about-being_2040190.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/nick-vujicic-1681_contentment_life-isn-t-about-having-it-s-about-being_2040190.png) > ““Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be. I know people with perfect bodies who don't have half the happiness I've found. On my journeys I've seen more joy in the slums of Mumbai and the orphanages of Africa than in wealthy gated communities and on sprawling estates worth millions. Why is that? You'll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged, in full force. Recognise instant self-gratification for what it is. Resist the temptation to grab for material objects like the perfect house, the coolest clothes or the hottest car. The if I just had X, I would be happy syndrome is a mass delusion. When you look for happiness in mere objects, they are never enough. Look around. Look within.”” [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True fulfillment comes from inner growth, purpose, and relationships, not material wealth. **In simple terms:** Happiness is inner, not bought. Key Takeaway Cultivate purpose and relationships. Themes happiness purpose materialism contentment inner growth Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career development - volunteering - personal relationships - travel - mindfulness Key Concepts self‑actualization mindfulness values Questions to Reflect On - What truly fulfills you beyond possessions? - How can you nurture inner purpose daily? A Different Perspective Material pursuits can distract from deeper needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Self gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-gratification/) ## Related quotes > [“Recognise instant self-gratification for what it is. Resist the temptation to grab for material objects like the perfect house, the coolest clothes or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/recognise-instant-self-gratification-for-what-it-is-resist-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [Happiness is but a mere episode in the general drama of pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/happiness-is-but-a-mere-episode-in-the-general-drama-of-pain/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [Love is a many-sided sacrifice; it means thoughtfulness for others; it means putting their good before self-gratification. Love is impulse, no doubt, but true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-reginald-haweis/love-is-a-many-sided-sacrifice-it-means-thoughtfulness-for-others-it/) [Hugh Reginald Haweis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-reginald-haweis/) > [“Revenge isn't a benefit, Lo. It’s self-gratification, an emotional response with very little logic and even less reward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/revenge-isn-t-a-benefit-lo-it-s-self-gratification-an-emotional/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sin always finds it's root in our own selfish desires and self-gratification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/sin-always-finds-it-s-root-in-our-own-selfish-desires-and-self/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [For me, self-gratification eventually took a backseat to trying to do something collaborative with other people, to trying to make something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/for-me-self-gratification-eventually-took-a-backseat-to-trying-to-do/) [Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/) > [Immaturity is the inability to delay self gratification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-murdock/immaturity-is-the-inability-to-delay-self-gratification/) [Mike Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-murdock/) > [Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence, traits that carry over into intellectual pursuits and that lead to effective study and work habits. An association…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-debakey/studying-music-encourages-self-discipline-and-diligence-traits-that/) [Michael E. DeBakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-debakey/) > [“Self-love is no part of morality. Indeed it is exactly its counterpart. It is the sole antagonist of virtue leading us constantly by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-no-part-of-morality-indeed-it-is-exactly-its-counterpart/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In this age of the pursuit of self gratification and self-indulgence, genuine, warm hospitality stands out as a practical example of unselfish giving. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/in-this-age-of-the-pursuit-of-self-gratification-and-self-indulgence/) [John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/) > [If this earth should ever be destroyed, it will be by desire, by the lust of pleasure and self-gratification, by greed of the green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fire-lame-deer/if-this-earth-should-ever-be-destroyed-it-will-be-by-desire-by-the/) [John Fire Lame Deer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fire-lame-deer/) > [The closed circle of materialism is clear to us now - aspirations become wants, wants become needs, and self-gratification becomes a bottomless pit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/the-closed-circle-of-materialism-is-clear-to-us-now-aspirations/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [“They live with the belief that anything is acceptable if you can get away with it, that self-gratification is the most important aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-salvatore/they-live-with-the-belief-that-anything-is-acceptable-if-you-can-get/) [R.A. Salvatore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-salvatore/) > [Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-the-sole-antagonist-of-virtue-leading-us-constantly-by/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Let us not subside into a single mandatory way of thinking or feeling, immersed by a spirit of self-gratification. But let’s dig into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/let-us-not-subside-into-a-single-mandatory-way-of-thinking-or-feeling/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) ## More by Nick Vujicic > [“Sometimes when we go through transitions, we aren’t aware of the impact they have on us. Stress, doubt, and even depression commonly result from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/sometimes-when-we-go-through-transitions-we-aren-t-aware-of-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [I have the choice to be angry at God for what i don't have, or be thankful for what i do have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/i-have-the-choice-to-be-angry-at-god-for-what-i-don-t-have-or-be/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [At my funeral, if one said, 'Nick was a generous person,' trust me I won't be doing cartwheels in my coffin. Recognition from people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/at-my-funeral-if-one-said-nick-was-a-generous-person-trust-me-i-won-t/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“To move to the next rung, you must give up your grip and reach for the next one. Release, reach, and raise yourself up,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/to-move-to-the-next-rung-you-must-give-up-your-grip-and-reach-for-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [We are put in situations to build our character... not destroy us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/we-are-put-in-situations-to-build-our-character-not-destroy-us/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [As long as I try, there’s always a chance of getting up. It’s not the end until you give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/as-long-as-i-try-there-s-always-a-chance-of-getting-up-it-s-not-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“the timing was right. Sometimes patience can pay off. Don’t be afraid to sleep on it. Write it down before you go to bed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/the-timing-was-right-sometimes-patience-can-pay-off-don-t-be-afraid/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [You have arms and legs, but don't know what to do with your lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/you-have-arms-and-legs-but-don-t-know-what-to-do-with-your-lives/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself. It's about bettering the lives of others, being part of something bigger than yourself, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/the-greatest-rewards-come-when-you-give-of-yourself-it-s-about/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [I know for certain that God does not make mistakes, but he does make miracles. I am one. You are, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/i-know-for-certain-that-god-does-not-make-mistakes-but-he-does-make/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“Waikiki Beach. I was psyched at the prospect of learning to surf in the historic place where Hawaiian kings and queens first rode atop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/waikiki-beach-i-was-psyched-at-the-prospect-of-learning-to-surf-in/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [LIFE is WORTH LIVING when you find PURPOSE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/life-is-worth-living-when-you-find-purpose/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated oppurtunties.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/keep-moving-ahead-because-action-creates-momentum-which-in-turn/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“You should never live according to what you lack. Instead, live as though you can do anything you dream of doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/you-should-never-live-according-to-what-you-lack-instead-live-as/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [I love my life, because I’ve seen my purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/i-love-my-life-because-i-ve-seen-my-purpose/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) [Explore all 207 Nick Vujicic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) ## More Contentment quotes > [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 may not have everything I want in life but I have all I will ever need to make my life complete, my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-may-not-have-everything-i-want-in-life-but-i-have-all-i-will-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can find as much happiness at the bottom of the ladder of success as you can at the top, then you understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/if-you-can-find-as-much-happiness-at-the-bottom-of-the-ladder-of/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/there-are-two-sorts-of-content-one-is-connected-with-exertion-the/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/money-is-made-at-christmas-out-of-holly-and-mistletoe-but-who-save/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-crown-is-in-my-heart-not-on-my-head-not-decked-with-diamonds-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Most of us are not content with our lot because we want a lot more](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/most-of-us-are-not-content-with-our-lot-because-we-want-a-lot-more/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [Pleasure simply brings more craving, but the problem is that we try to get contentment through pleasure. True contentment can only come through service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/pleasure-simply-brings-more-craving-but-the-problem-is-that-we-try-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Every human always wants more. We're never satisfied. True happiness doesn't come until we're fully satisfied with what we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-human-always-wants-more-we-re-never-satisfied-true-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I was so nearly happy. There remained only a tiny something, something unexplained and inexplicable that buzzed in my ear when the lights were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-rooney/i-was-so-nearly-happy-there-remained-only-a-tiny-something-something/) Jennie Rooney > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [One often learns more from ten days of agony than ten years of contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-shain/one-often-learns-more-from-ten-days-of-agony-than-ten-years-of/) [Merle Shain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-shain/) > [Stop complaining and start accepting, everything happens for a reason, you may not notice the importance of the things that you have now, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/stop-complaining-and-start-accepting-everything-happens-for-a-reason/) Hemantsmarty > [True intimacy is the experience of real acceptance and authentic vulnerability without feeling the need to apologize or fear rejection. The freedom to just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-blake-michiels/true-intimacy-is-the-experience-of-real-acceptance-and-authentic/) [Jordan Blake Michiels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-blake-michiels/) [Browse all 1,355 Contentment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be. I know people with perfect bodies who don't have half the happiness I've found. On my journeys I've seen more joy in the slums of Mumbai and the orphanages of Africa than in wealthy gated communities and on sprawling estates worth millions. Why is that? You'll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged, in full force. Recognise instant self-gratification for what it is. 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