--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most damaging erroneous belief about…" description: "\"The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is, that it is not with you.\" — Robert Holden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png" --- # The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of… ![“The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is, that it is not with you.” quote by Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png) > “The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is, that it is not with you.” [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. Happiness is not a distant goal but an internal state; we often mistakenly search for it outside ourselves. **In simple terms:** Happiness lives inside you. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner contentment. Themes happiness self‑awareness mindset Mood reflective calm Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - daily mindfulness Key Concepts psychology well‑being misconception Questions to Reflect On - What internal habits foster lasting joy? - How does seeking happiness elsewhere affect fulfillment? A Different Perspective External pursuits cannot replace inner peace. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) ## Related quotes > [“The capacity for erroneous belief is very great, especially where it coincides with convenience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/the-capacity-for-erroneous-belief-is-very-great-especially-where-it/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-deserved-has-led-to-centuries-of/) [Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/) > [“Our ability to cultivate joy has not been scientifically studied as thoroughly as our ability to cultivate happiness. In 1978, psychologists Philip Brickman, Dan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv/our-ability-to-cultivate-joy-has-not-been-scientifically-studied-as/) [Dalai Lama XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv/) > [It is not by accident that the happiest people are those who make a conscious effort to live useful lives. Their happiness, of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-a-fitzgerald/it-is-not-by-accident-that-the-happiest-people-are-those-who-make-a/) Ernest A. Fitzgerald > [“A person’s conclusions can only be as solid as the information on which they are based. Thus, a person who is exposed to almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gilovich/a-person-s-conclusions-can-only-be-as-solid-as-the-information-on/) [Thomas Gilovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gilovich/) > [“Only if you are afraid of looking foolish, and I would have looked far more foolish if I persisted with an erroneous belief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-ella/only-if-you-are-afraid-of-looking-foolish-and-i-would-have-looked-far/) [Sara Ella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-ella/) > [PREFERENCE, n. A sentiment, or frame of mind, induced by the erroneous belief that one thing is better than another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/preference-n-a-sentiment-or-frame-of-mind-induced-by-the-erroneous/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The ancient superficial idea of the uniform and progressive growth of the human personality has remained unaltered, and the erroneous belief has persisted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-ancient-superficial-idea-of-the-uniform-and-progressive-growth-of/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Somehow, we have come to the erroneous belief that we are all but flesh, blood, and bones, and that's all. So we direct our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/somehow-we-have-come-to-the-erroneous-belief-that-we-are-all-but/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“The notions and ideas we have about happiness can entrap us. We forget that they are just notions and ideas. Our idea of happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/the-notions-and-ideas-we-have-about-happiness-can-entrap-us-we-forget/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Now, sitting opposite him, she still saw the handsome young man she had fallen in love with. The self-assured, optimistic artist no one had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-redondo/now-sitting-opposite-him-she-still-saw-the-handsome-young-man-she-had/) [Dolores Redondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-redondo/) > [Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-notions-about-happiness-entrap-us-we-forget-that-they-are-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In essence, shamanism is the belief that all happiness stems from harmony with nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euny-hong/in-essence-shamanism-is-the-belief-that-all-happiness-stems-from/) [Euny Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euny-hong/) > [“Dysfunctional Belief: Happiness is having it all. Reframe: Happiness is letting go of what you don’t need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burnett/dysfunctional-belief-happiness-is-having-it-all-reframe-happiness-is/) [Bill Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burnett/) > [“My belief is that happiness is necessarily transient. The natural state of a reflective man is one of depression. The world is a botch.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/my-belief-is-that-happiness-is-necessarily-transient-the-natural/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) ## 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/) > [The belief that happiness has to be deserved has led to centuries of pain, guilt, and deception. So firmly have we clung to this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-belief-that-happiness-has-to-be-deserved-has-led-to-centuries-of/) [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 most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is, that it is not with you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Holden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about-happiness-is-of-course-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about-happiness-is-of-course-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/robert-holden-6555_belief_the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about_2959691.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The most damaging erroneous belief about happiness is, of course, that happiness is somewhere else--that is…” — Robert Holden", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Holden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The most damaging erroneous belief about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about-happiness-is-of-course-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/the-most-damaging-erroneous-belief-about-happiness-is-of-course-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```