--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The things we once thought of as luxuries…" description: "\"“The things we once thought of as luxuries soon become necessities (although, by the same token, our sense of well-being would quickly adapt to losing ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/simon-kuper-23141_happiness_the-things-we-once-thought-of-as-luxurie_2127760.png" --- # The things we once thought of as luxuries soon become… ![“The things we once thought of as luxuries soon become necessities (although, by the same token, our sense of well-being would quickly adapt to losing half our income). What we care about is not our absolute wealth but our rung on the ladder. Ruut Veenhoven, a leading researcher of happiness, says…” quote by Simon Kuper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/simon-kuper-23141_happiness_the-things-we-once-thought-of-as-luxurie_2127760.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/simon-kuper-23141_happiness_the-things-we-once-thought-of-as-luxurie_2127760.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/simon-kuper-23141_happiness_the-things-we-once-thought-of-as-luxurie_2127760.png) > ““The things we once thought of as luxuries soon become necessities (although, by the same token, our sense of well-being would quickly adapt to losing half our income). What we care about is not our absolute wealth but our rung on the ladder. Ruut Veenhoven, a leading researcher of happiness, says, “When we have overtaken the Joneses, our reference drifts upward to the Smiths, and we feel unhappy again.”” [Simon Kuper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-kuper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our perception of wealth is relative; once a luxury becomes a norm, we chase higher status, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction. **In simple terms:** We compare ourselves to others, not absolute wealth. Key Takeaway Focus on personal fulfillment, not status. Themes happiness wealth social comparison adaptation Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - consumer choices - financial planning - social media use Key Concepts relative wealth reference groups hedonic adaptation Questions to Reflect On - How do you define success beyond material status? - What non‑material goals bring lasting satisfaction? A Different Perspective If everyone improves, the ladder rises, keeping dissatisfaction alive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feel Unhappy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-unhappy-597320/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Luxuries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxuries/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Thought Luxuries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-luxuries-4371291/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [“You'd think the sight of beautiful Place Vendôme would lift my spirits but oddly the arc of jewellery - so obviously beyond the means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-turnbull/you-d-think-the-sight-of-beautiful-place-vend-me-would-lift-my/) [Sarah Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-turnbull/) > [If I feel unhappy, I do mathematics to become happy. 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