Happiness Quote by Robert Walser
““I must find myself a life, a new life, even if all of life consists only of an endless search for life. What is respect compared to this other thing: being happy and having satisfied the heart’s pride. Even being unhappy is better than being respected. I am unhappy despite the respect I enjoy; and so in my own eyes I don’t deserve this respect; for I consider only happiness worthy of respect. Therefore I must try whether it is possible to be happy without insisting on respect.””
About This Quote
True fulfillment comes from personal happiness, not external respect; seeking joy outweighs the need for validation.
In simple terms: Happiness > respect.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize personal joy.
Themes
happiness
self‑respect
authenticity
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- relationships
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
existentialism
values
Questions to Reflect On
- What does happiness mean to you?
- Can respect and happiness coexist?
A Different Perspective
Respect can still be important for social harmony.
![“... it is true that I do not respect [human life] more than I respect my own life. And if it is easy for me to kill, that is because it is difficult for me to die.” quote by Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdd/albert-camus-47_death_it-is-true-that-i-do-not-respect-human-l_1294724.jpg)
![“I am not here [in the sanitarium] to write, but to be mad.” quote by Robert Walser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d68/robert-walser-6307_inspirational_i-am-not-here-in-the-sanitarium-to-write_222396.jpg)
