--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No man is happy but by comparison." description: "\"No man is happy but by comparison.\" — Thomas Shadwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg" --- # No man is happy but by comparison. ![“No man is happy but by comparison.” quote by Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg) > “No man is happy but by comparison.” [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) ## 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 relative, found through comparing oneself to others. **In simple terms:** Happiness depends on comparison. Key Takeaway Seek personal fulfillment beyond comparisons. Themes happiness comparison relativity Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - social media - workplace - personal goals Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What defines your own happiness? - How to avoid unhealthy comparisons? A Different Perspective Comparison can lead to envy and dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy/) [Happy Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-comparison-2753915/) [Man Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-happy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“Is there any difference between a happy and a lucky man? A happy is someone who finds an oasis with drinking water in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eraldo-banovac/is-there-any-difference-between-a-happy-and-a-lucky-man-a-happy-is/) [Eraldo Banovac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eraldo-banovac/) > [Call no day happy 'til it is done; call no man happy til he is dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/call-no-day-happy-til-it-is-done-call-no-man-happy-til-he-is-dead/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [Only He who made man makes man happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/only-he-who-made-man-makes-man-happy/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [King is not a happy man, but a happy man is a king!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/king-is-not-a-happy-man-but-a-happy-man-is-a-king/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“You know how you can tell the worth of a man? See how happy he makes the women around him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-skye/you-know-how-you-can-tell-the-worth-of-a-man-see-how-happy-he-makes/) [Jaden Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-skye/) > [No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-man-is-happy-he-is-at-best-fortunate/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Of no mortal say, 'That man is happy,' till vexed by no grievous ill he pass Life's goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/of-no-mortal-say-that-man-is-happy-till-vexed-by-no-grievous-ill-he/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“The happy man, therefore, is he who can make a right judgment in all things: he is happy who in his present circumstances, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/the-happy-man-therefore-is-he-who-can-make-a-right-judgment-in-all/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval. When man is happy, he is in harmony with himself and his environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval-when-man-is-happy-he/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“...count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/count-no-man-happy-till-he-dies-free-of-pain-at-last/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/call-no-man-happy-until-he-is-dead-but-only-lucky/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/if-thou-wilt-make-a-man-happy-add-not-unto-his-riches-but-take-away/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [Come, let me know what it is that makes a Scotch man happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/come-let-me-know-what-it-is-that-makes-a-scotch-man-happy/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/money-never-made-a-man-happy-yet-nor-will-it-the-more-a-man-has-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Thomas Shadwell > [Hope is a very thin diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/hope-is-a-very-thin-diet/) [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) > [I am, out of the ladies' company, like a fish out of the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/i-am-out-of-the-ladies-company-like-a-fish-out-of-the-water/) [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) > [Words may be false and full of art; Sighs are the natural language of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/words-may-be-false-and-full-of-art-sighs-are-the-natural-language-of/) [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) > [The haste of a fool is the slowest thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/the-haste-of-a-fool-is-the-slowest-thing-in-the-world/) [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) > [And wit's the noblest frailty of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/and-wit-s-the-noblest-frailty-of-the-mind/) [Thomas Shadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) [Explore all 6 Thomas Shadwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/) ## More Comparison quotes > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You are Insignificant. One of millions, neither special nor unique. I did not ask for this ignominy, and I resent the comparison. Fine. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/you-are-insignificant-one-of-millions-neither-special-nor-unique-i/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [President Obama's achievements and failures must be evaluated by comparison to those chief executives who have come before him and not be measured against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-garrow/president-obama-s-achievements-and-failures-must-be-evaluated-by/) [David Garrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-garrow/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) [Barbara Kolb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kolb/) > [I think the first person to call me 'Britain's Obama' was Martin Bright at the New Statesman. Harriet Harman made the comparison once at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuka-umunna/i-think-the-first-person-to-call-me-britain-s-obama-was-martin-bright/) [Chuka Umunna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuka-umunna/) > [The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-insolence-of-base-minds-in-success-is-boundless-and-would-scarce/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The wise man does not permit himself to set up even in his own mind any comparisons of his friends. His friendship is capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/the-wise-man-does-not-permit-himself-to-set-up-even-in-his-own-mind/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [It’s always going to be easy to live like others or other’s life, because creating or innovating something of own is always difficult in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/it-s-always-going-to-be-easy-to-live-like-others-or-other-s-life/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The streets, at least in this part of town, seemed impossibly clean in comparison to London. The public telephones were unvandalised. For a London…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-streets-at-least-in-this-part-of-town-seemed-impossibly-clean-in/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [It is only through contact and comparison that the relative value or worthlessness of the various cultural elements can be clearly and critically seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hu-shih/it-is-only-through-contact-and-comparison-that-the-relative-value-or/) [Hu Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hu-shih/) > [I feel I'm in 2006 form to be honest. I hear a lot of comparisons to 2004, but I never changed. Last year was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecko-eskandarian/i-feel-i-m-in-2006-form-to-be-honest-i-hear-a-lot-of-comparisons-to/) [Alecko Eskandarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecko-eskandarian/) > [Perhaps the comparison is closer to the Chinese cook who leaves hardly any part of a duck unserved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/perhaps-the-comparison-is-closer-to-the-chinese-cook-who-leaves/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) [Browse all 1,152 Comparison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No man is happy but by comparison.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Shadwell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comparison" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/thomas-shadwell-53640_comparison_no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison-108236_1082365.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“No man is happy but by comparison.” — Thomas Shadwell", "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": "Thomas Shadwell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-shadwell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "No man is happy but by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-shadwell/no-man-is-happy-but-by-comparison/#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 } } ] } ```