--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness will never come if it's a goal…" description: "\"Happiness will never come if it's a goal in itself; happiness is a by-product of a commitment of worthy causes.\" — Norman Vincent Peale" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/norman-vincent-peale-539_causes_happiness-will-never-come-if-it-s-a-goal_562381.jpg" --- # Happiness will never come if it's a goal in itself… ![“Happiness will never come if it's a goal in itself; happiness is a by-product of a commitment of worthy causes.” quote by Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/norman-vincent-peale-539_causes_happiness-will-never-come-if-it-s-a-goal_562381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/norman-vincent-peale-539_causes_happiness-will-never-come-if-it-s-a-goal_562381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/norman-vincent-peale-539_causes_happiness-will-never-come-if-it-s-a-goal_562381.jpg) > “Happiness will never come if it's a goal in itself; happiness is a by-product of a commitment of worthy causes.” [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness arises as a side effect of pursuing meaningful goals, not by chasing it directly. **In simple terms:** Happiness follows purposeful action Key Takeaway Focus on meaningful work, not happiness itself Themes happiness purpose meaningful living Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career fulfillment - volunteering - creative projects Key Concepts intrinsic motivation by‑product effect goal orientation Questions to Reflect On - What purpose drives you? - How does purpose shape your joy? A Different Perspective Chasing happiness directly can lead to frustration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Commitment Worthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment-worthy-4659462/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-happiness-3889105/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-come/) [Happiness Product](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-product-407384/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Products](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/products/) [Worthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthy/) [Worthy causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthy-causes/) ## Related quotes > [Happiness is not a goal; happiness is a by-product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-satak/happiness-is-not-a-goal-happiness-is-a-by-product/) [Steven Satak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-satak/) > [Life is certainly only worthwhile as it represents struggle for worthy causes. There is no struggle in perfect security. I am quite certain that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/life-is-certainly-only-worthwhile-as-it-represents-struggle-for/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..who errs, who comes short again and again; but who does actually strive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-credit-belongs-to-the-man-who-is-actually-in-the-arena-who-errs/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Happiness is not reaching your goal. Happiness is being on the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingvar-kamprad/happiness-is-not-reaching-your-goal-happiness-is-being-on-the-way/) [Ingvar Kamprad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingvar-kamprad/) > [“How we pursue the goal of happiness matters at least as much, perhaps more, than the goal itself. They are, in fact, one and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/how-we-pursue-the-goal-of-happiness-matters-at-least-as-much-perhaps/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) > [The goal of all goals is happiness, and our emotions are like road signs on that journey toward the goal of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-goal-of-all-goals-is-happiness-and-our-emotions-are-like-road/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The highest happiness is a by-product of worthy work well done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-auberjonois/the-highest-happiness-is-a-by-product-of-worthy-work-well-done/) [Rene Auberjonois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-auberjonois/) > [Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/happiness-is-mostly-a-by-product-of-doing-what-makes-us-feel-fulfilled/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [Happiness is a by-product rather than an end in itself. It pops into your life unbidden, and then tends to pop out again. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-don/happiness-is-a-by-product-rather-than-an-end-in-itself-it-pops-into/) [Monty Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-don/) > [Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/happiness-is-always-a-by-product-it-is-probably-a-matter-of-2/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Happiness is a by product of service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-critchlow-jr/happiness-is-a-by-product-of-service/) [William J. Critchlow, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-critchlow-jr/) > [Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretta-brooker-palmer/happiness-is-a-by-product-of-an-effort-to-make-someone-else-happy/) [Gretta Brooker Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretta-brooker-palmer/) > [Happiness is a by-product. It is not a primary product of life. It is a thing which you suddenly realize you have because you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/happiness-is-a-by-product-it-is-not-a-primary-product-of-life-it-is-a/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/happiness-is-always-a-by-product-it-is-probably-a-matter-of/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Remember that happiness is a by-product of you living a life true to yourself, and though you can't always force it, if you look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-that-happiness-is-a-by-product-of-you-living-a-life-true-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Norman Vincent Peale > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [When we start focusing on things we can do and don't think so much about the things we can't do, things really start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/when-we-start-focusing-on-things-we-can-do-and-don-t-think-so-much/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The only figure in history who endures is Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-only-figure-in-history-who-endures-is-jesus/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I believe absolutely and certainly that, when you die, you will meet your loved ones and know them and be reunited with them, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/i-believe-absolutely-and-certainly-that-when-you-die-you-will-meet/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-cyclone-derives-its-powers-from-a-calm-center-so-does-a-person/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Positive Thinkers get positive results because they appreciate the inestimable value of a day, this day, not the next day, but this day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/positive-thinkers-get-positive-results-because-they-appreciate-the/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [It takes struggle, a goal and enthusiasm to make a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-takes-struggle-a-goal-and-enthusiasm-to-make-a-champion/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” JOB 22:21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/submit-to-god-and-be-at-peace-with-him-in-this-way-prosperity-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Scatter good will and love and prayers all around, everywhere, and you will be astonished, not only by what it does for other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/scatter-good-will-and-love-and-prayers-all-around-everywhere-and-you/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Stand up to an obstacle. Just stand up to it, that's all, and don't give way under it, and it will finally break. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/stand-up-to-an-obstacle-just-stand-up-to-it-that-s-all-and-don-t-give/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Never allow sick attitudes to poison your thinking, nor let ill will make you ill. Avoid making your mind sore by that painful rehurting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/never-allow-sick-attitudes-to-poison-your-thinking-nor-let-ill-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively. Believe it is possible to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/how-you-think-about-a-problem-is-more-important-than-the-problem/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Explore all 487 Norman Vincent Peale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-was-like-how-she-is-now-when/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) [Eloise Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloise-greenfield/) > [Many companies have long contended that stress in the home causes productivity loss in the market place.. and it does. 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