--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is…" description: "\"The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life worthwhile.\" — Tom Rath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png" --- # The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life… ![“The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life worthwhile.” quote by Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png) > “The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life worthwhile.” [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life feels more fulfilling when we seek purpose rather than fleeting pleasure. **In simple terms:** Purpose over happiness makes life worthwhile. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaning in daily choices. Themes purpose fulfillment values Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - volunteering - personal development - education - relationship building Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What purpose drives you today? - How can you embed meaning into routine tasks? A Different Perspective Happiness can be fleeting and may not sustain long‑term satisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-makes/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-worthwhile/) [Meaning Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning-happiness-1045215/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthwhile/) ## Related quotes > [“Ones life will have much more meaning and happiness if one makes their own decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-william-gibbons/ones-life-will-have-much-more-meaning-and-happiness-if-one-makes/) [Duncan William Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-william-gibbons/) > [“Enjoy small moments as they come. At the end, That's what makes life worthwhile...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadun-lokuliyanage/enjoy-small-moments-as-they-come-at-the-end-that-s-what-makes-life/) [Nadun Lokuliyanage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadun-lokuliyanage/) > [Danger is the spice of life and you’ve got to take a risk now and then…that’s what makes life worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/danger-is-the-spice-of-life-and-you-ve-got-to-take-a-risk-now-and/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [It has always seemed to me. ever since early childhood, amid all the commonplaces of life, i was very near to a kingdom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/it-has-always-seemed-to-me-ever-since-early-childhood-amid-all-the/) [Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/) > [...the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-gross-national-product-does-not-allow-for-the-health-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Is it worthwhile that we jostle a brother, Bearing his load on the rough road of life? 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It doesn't mean you can do everything but there are a lot of things you can do, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/life-is-worthwhile-if-you-try-it-doesn-t-mean-you-can-do-everything/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-can-never-solve-a-problem-on-the-level-on-which-it-was-created/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Prescription: Get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/people-who-say-that-life-is-not-worthwhile-are-really-saying-that/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Love is a wonderful thing. It makes life worthwhile. I love being in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/love-is-a-wonderful-thing-it-makes-life-worthwhile-i-love-being-in/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [U are the reason for my smile. The one who makes my life worthwhile. I wonder what would I be doing without having you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/u-are-the-reason-for-my-smile-the-one-who-makes-my-life-worthwhile-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only life that's worthwhile(be it long and short)is the one spent in service for the Lord and in bringing blessing to others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-life-that-s-worthwhile-be-it-long-and-short-is-the-one-spent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Tom Rath > [Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/every-day-i-read-about-new-ideas-and-research-that-could-help-someone/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-ve-seen-people-be-effective-even-among-local-teams-by-offering/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [If you want people to understand that you value their contributions and that they are important, the recognition and praise you provide must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/if-you-want-people-to-understand-that-you-value-their-contributions/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/on-average-spending-time-with-your-boss-is-consistently-rated-as-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Once your brain initially processes something, you are less likely to retain the information if you are not physically active in the period following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/once-your-brain-initially-processes-something-you-are-less-likely-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I would absolutely recommend against excessive positivity and optimism. Any positive emotion that you're infusing into a workplace needs to be grounded in reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-would-absolutely-recommend-against-excessive-positivity-and/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-vast-knowledge-we-have-to-prevent-cancer-heart-disease-and-other/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Positive defaults protect you from yourself - and that helps you to make decisions in the moment that are better for your long-term interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/positive-defaults-protect-you-from-yourself-and-that-helps-you-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/making-better-choices-takes-work-there-is-a-daily-give-and-take-but/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Having fewer unhealthy days and, in turn, more days when you have the energy to get things done is probably the global constant through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/having-fewer-unhealthy-days-and-in-turn-more-days-when-you-have-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-if-people-just-change-two-or-three-things-that-they-are-able-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [People with high levels of wellbeing have been careful to work out early in the morning and not to have heavy meals throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/people-with-high-levels-of-wellbeing-have-been-careful-to-work-out/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The absence of high-quality friendships is bad for your health, spirits, productivity, and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-absence-of-high-quality-friendships-is-bad-for-your-health/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm a researcher, so I'm realistic that there's nothing I'm doing that's going to prevent me from getting cancer in the future. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-m-a-researcher-so-i-m-realistic-that-there-s-nothing-i-m-doing-that/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) [Explore all 129 Tom Rath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## More Happiness quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I've got nothing to do today but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-got-nothing-to-do-today-but-smile/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/her-dignity-consists-in-being-unknown-to-the-world-her-glory-is-in/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/positive-thinking-evokes-more-energy-more-initiative-more-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) [Browse all 40,288 Happiness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life worthwhile.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Rath" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is-what-makes-life-worthwhile/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Happiness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is-what-makes-life-worthwhile/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/tom-rath-3501_happiness_the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is_2233233.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The pursuit of meaning, not happiness, is what makes life worthwhile.” — Tom Rath", "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": "Tom Rath", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The pursuit of meaning, not happiness,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is-what-makes-life-worthwhile/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-pursuit-of-meaning-not-happiness-is-what-makes-life-worthwhile/#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 } } ] } ```