--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The belief that happiness has to be…" description: "\"The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this single, illusory belie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-dese_482968.png" --- # The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to… ![“The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this single, illusory belief that we've almost forgotten the real truth about happiness. So busy are we trying to deserve happiness that we no longer have much time for ideas…” quote by Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-dese_482968.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-dese_482968.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-dese_482968.png) > “The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this single, illusory belief that we've almost forgotten the real truth about happiness. So busy are we trying to deserve happiness that we no longer have much time for ideas such as: Happiness is natural, happiness is a birthright, happiness is free, happiness is a choice, happiness is within, and happiness is being. The moment you believe that happiness has to be deserved, you must toil forevermore.” [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Believing happiness must be earned creates endless suffering; true happiness is innate and freely accessible. **In simple terms:** Happiness is a birthright, not a reward. Key Takeaway Release the need to earn happiness. Themes happiness self‑acceptance freedom Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - mental health - relationships - mindfulness Key Concepts birthright choice inner peace Questions to Reflect On - What beliefs keep you from feeling happiness now? - How can you practice accepting happiness as a right? A Different Perspective Happiness can still feel elusive despite this insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Birthright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthright/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Is Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-is-free/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Real truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-truth/) [Toil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toil/) ## Related quotes > [The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is, that it is not with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about-happiness-is-of-course-that/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Happiness is free, there are no conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/happiness-is-free-there-are-no-conditions/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [“You were born of two flawed yet beautiful souls. Happiness is your birthright, and love is your guide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leigh-mercree/you-were-born-of-two-flawed-yet-beautiful-souls-happiness-is-your/) [Amy Leigh Mercree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leigh-mercree/) > [Happiness is your birthright. Live it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh-yogi/happiness-is-your-birthright-live-it/) [Harbhajan Singh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh-yogi/) > [Each of us has a genuine capacity for love, forgiveness, wisdom and compassion. Meditation awakens these qualities so that we can discover for ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/each-of-us-has-a-genuine-capacity-for-love-forgiveness-wisdom-and/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [We take it for granted that life is hard and feel lucky to have whatever happiness we get. We do not look upon happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-liedloff/we-take-it-for-granted-that-life-is-hard-and-feel-lucky-to-have/) [Jean Liedloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-liedloff/) > [“Life's too gorgeous to be sad! Why settle for a frown when you can turn that upside down into a smiley emoji? Dive into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/life-is-positive/life-s-too-gorgeous-to-be-sad-why-settle-for-a-frown-when-you-can/) Life is Positive > [“Happiness is a choice. Happiness does not depend on outward conditions but on inward decisions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-c-taylor/happiness-is-a-choice-happiness-does-not-depend-on-outward-conditions/) [Cameron C. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-c-taylor/) > [Still today your choice and happiness are my first preference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-singh-mehta/still-today-your-choice-and-happiness-are-my-first-preference/) [Rahul Singh Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-singh-mehta/) > [If we have an option to make a choice between happiness and painfulness,, we will be recognize the painfulness,, Because we Have a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/if-we-have-an-option-to-make-a-choice-between-happiness-and/) Mak\_786 > [“Paradise,’ he began, and the p meant a spray. ‘The old legend about Paradise—that was about us, about right now. Yes! Just think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/paradise-he-began-and-the-p-meant-a-spray-the-old-legend-about/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [Gratitude is a choice. Happiness is an attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-chan/gratitude-is-a-choice-happiness-is-an-attitude/) [Amy Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-chan/) > [If you're ever given the choice between happiness and intelligence choose happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-ever-given-the-choice-between-happiness-and-intelligence/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [...Those two, in paradise, were given a choice: happiness without freedom, or freedom without happiness. There was no third alternative...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/those-two-in-paradise-were-given-a-choice-happiness-without-freedom/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/attitude-is-a-choice-happiness-is-a-choice-optimism-is-a-choice/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) ## More by Robert Holden > [To be happy you have to know what you really want. After all, you can never have enough of what you didn't want in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/to-be-happy-you-have-to-know-what-you-really-want-after-all-you-can/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Laughter is the best way To make somebody's heart beat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/laughter-is-the-best-way-to-make-somebody-s-heart-beat/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [The more you strive and search for happiness, the more you overlook the possibility that it is here already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-more-you-strive-and-search-for-happiness-the-more-you-overlook/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [If you really want to be successful and you really want to be happy, don't have a job, have a purpose. ...When you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/if-you-really-want-to-be-successful-and-you-really-want-to-be-happy/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Love is the real work of your life. It is your spiritual path. It is the key to your growth and evolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/love-is-the-real-work-of-your-life-it-is-your-spiritual-path-it-is/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Keep a gratitude journal. Write down at least three things a day you are either thankful for, made you smile or genuinely inspired you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/keep-a-gratitude-journal-write-down-at-least-three-things-a-day-you/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Writing is a spiritual path. It helps you listen to your heart, trust your inner guidance, and live your life full-out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/writing-is-a-spiritual-path-it-helps-you-listen-to-your-heart-trust/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Happiness is not in things; happiness is in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/happiness-is-not-in-things-happiness-is-in-you/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [The difference between happiness is no-where and happiness is now-here has something to do with the event, and everything to do with how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-difference-between-happiness-is-no-where-and-happiness-is-now/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Leadership is a dare - and the dare is, 'Are you willing to show up?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/leadership-is-a-dare-and-the-dare-is-are-you-willing-to-show-up/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Stop talking to people about what you will do; show them instead what your are doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/stop-talking-to-people-about-what-you-will-do-show-them-instead-what/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Happiness is present time, it has nothing to do with the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/happiness-is-present-time-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-the-future/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [You did not come here to be normal, you came here to be you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/you-did-not-come-here-to-be-normal-you-came-here-to-be-you/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Happiness is a way of travelling and not a final destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/happiness-is-a-way-of-travelling-and-not-a-final-destination/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [Life is like art - it is all about interpretation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/life-is-like-art-it-is-all-about-interpretation/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) [Explore all 98 Robert Holden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this single, illusory belief that we've almost forgotten the real truth about happiness. 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