--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness is based on a just…" description: "\"“Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive”\" — Ursula K. Le ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ursula-k-le-guin-138_happiness_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_1767958.jpg" --- # Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is… ![“Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive” quote by Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ursula-k-le-guin-138_happiness_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_1767958.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ursula-k-le-guin-138_happiness_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_1767958.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ursula-k-le-guin-138_happiness_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_1767958.jpg) > ““Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive”” [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness depends on wisely distinguishing essential, neutral, and harmful elements in life. **In simple terms:** Know what truly matters, what is harmless, and what harms. Key Takeaway Prioritize essential, discard harmful. Themes well‑being decision‑making values balance mindfulness Mood thoughtful inquisitive calm Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - daily planning - budgeting - relationship choices - health habits Key Concepts ethics psychology minimalism Questions to Reflect On - What criteria define necessity? - How do we handle gray areas? A Different Perspective Simplistic categorization can overlook nuance and interdependence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [Discrimination Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination-necessary-1116478/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-based-814476/) [Just Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-discrimination-1752456/) [Necessary Destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary-destructive-1752457/) ## Related quotes > [Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive. In the middle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discrimination-of-what-is-necessary-what/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Beauty discrimination has become necessary, not from the perception that women will not be good enough, but that they will be, as they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/beauty-discrimination-has-become-necessary-not-from-the-perception/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/understand-that-happiness-is-not-based-on-possessions-power-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our happiness can't be based on ability to control everything that is futile. We do control our actions not the consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-reyes/our-happiness-can-t-be-based-on-ability-to-control-everything-that-is/) [JOHN REYES](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-reyes/) > [True happiness isn't something that can be made. It isn't the result of anything. Happiness comes to those who understand that you can't seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/true-happiness-isn-t-something-that-can-be-made-it-isn-t-the-result/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [Happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/happiness-is-not-based-on-possessions-power-or-prestige-but-on/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [Many people think excitement is happiness… But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-think-excitement-is-happiness-but-when-you-are-excited/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Happiness is not based on your circumstances, but on a decision you make.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/happiness-is-not-based-on-your-circumstances-but-on-a-decision-you/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Happiness is not based on material things we have or status we achieved. The substance of true happiness, is having someone to share with;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayleen-jane-l-lowe/happiness-is-not-based-on-material-things-we-have-or-status-we/) [Ayleen Jane L Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayleen-jane-l-lowe/) > [Happiness based on reasons is actually another form of misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/happiness-based-on-reasons-is-actually-another-form-of-misery/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Knowing that my happiness is not based off of whether or not a person still cares about me feels amazing. I'm fine without you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/knowing-that-my-happiness-is-not-based-off-of-whether-or-not-a-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Material progress and a higher standard of living bring us greater comfort and health, but do not lead to a transformation of the mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/material-progress-and-a-higher-standard-of-living-bring-us-greater/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“Christian happiness is based in the conviction that because of the accomplishments of Christ, the future is a friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-zahnd/christian-happiness-is-based-in-the-conviction-that-because-of-the/) [Brian Zahnd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-zahnd/) > [People are pursuing happiness, but they're pursuing things that will never, ever make them happy, and they don't know that. They've got a distorted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/people-are-pursuing-happiness-but-they-re-pursuing-things-that-will/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Well, there are two kinds of happiness, grounded and ungrounded. Ungrounded happiness is cheesy and not based on reality. Grounded happiness is informed happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-grammer/well-there-are-two-kinds-of-happiness-grounded-and-ungrounded/) [Andy Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-grammer/) ## More by Ursula K. Le Guin > [“...I wore his blood for clothing, on my legs and thighs and hands: a dry, stiff, brown garment with no warmth in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-wore-his-blood-for-clothing-on-my-legs-and-thighs-and-hands-a-dry/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Translation is entirely mysterious. Increasingly I have felt that the art of writing is itself translating, or more like translating than it is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/translation-is-entirely-mysterious-increasingly-i-have-felt-that-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Aeneas' mother is a star?" "No; a goddess." I said cautiously, "Venus is the power that we invoke in spring, in the garden, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/aeneas-mother-is-a-star-no-a-goddess-i-said-cautiously-venus-is-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Meaning - this is perhaps the common note, the bane I am seeking. What is the Meaning of this book, this event in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/meaning-this-is-perhaps-the-common-note-the-bane-i-am-seeking-what-is/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [For fantasy is true, of course. It isn't factual, but it is true. Children know that. Adults know it too, and that is precisely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/for-fantasy-is-true-of-course-it-isn-t-factual-but-it-is-true/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“. . . chronosophy does involve ethics. Because our sense of time involves our ability to separate cause and effect, means and end. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/chronosophy-does-involve-ethics-because-our-sense-of-time-involves/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“If both you and your plane are on time, the airport is merely a diffuse, short, miserable prelude to the intense, long, miserable plane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/if-both-you-and-your-plane-are-on-time-the-airport-is-merely-a/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“The author is not impartial. Dystopia is not tragedy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/the-author-is-not-impartial-dystopia-is-not-tragedy/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Between thought and spoken word is a gap where intention can enter, the symbol be twisted aside, and the lie come to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/between-thought-and-spoken-word-is-a-gap-where-intention-can-enter/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [I have no control over my writing. I have lots of good intentions, but no control. There's a story that wants to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-have-no-control-over-my-writing-i-have-lots-of-good-intentions-but/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“I did a lot today. That is, I did something. The only thing I have ever done. I pressed a button. It took the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-did-a-lot-today-that-is-i-did-something-the-only-thing-i-have-ever/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [To me the female principle is, or at least historically has been, basically anarchic. It values order without constraint, rule by custom not by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/to-me-the-female-principle-is-or-at-least-historically-has-been/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Hector had no virtue?” “Of course he did. He won all his battles, till the last one.” “We all do,” Aeneas remarked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/hector-had-no-virtue-of-course-he-did-he-won-all-his-battles-till-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“I was willing to believe him that most modern writing was trash, on the evidence that so much old writing was trash; but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-was-willing-to-believe-him-that-most-modern-writing-was-trash-on/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Can women operate as women in a male institution without becoming imitation men?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/can-women-operate-as-women-in-a-male-institution-without-becoming/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) [Explore all 1,114 Ursula K. Le Guin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) ## More Discrimination quotes > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [In a general way, the literature of the twentieth century is essentially psychological; and psychology consists of describing states of the soul by displaying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/in-a-general-way-the-literature-of-the-twentieth-century-is/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“Mental illness is not something you misunderstand in this era. Get educated because bias is no different than racism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/mental-illness-is-not-something-you-misunderstand-in-this-era-get/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I believe that those who promote discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/i-believe-that-those-who-promote-discrimination-on-the-basis-of/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) > [Nothing better protects a human being against the stupidity of prejudice, racism, religious or political sectarianism, and exclusivist nationalism than this truth that invariably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/nothing-better-protects-a-human-being-against-the-stupidity-of/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [It is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. And women that do not conform to the system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/it-is-obvious-that-discrimination-exists-women-do-not-have-the/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Judging someone by the color of their skin is ignorant. Their skin complexion has nothing to do with their morals, beliefs or intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/judging-someone-by-the-color-of-their-skin-is-ignorant-their-skin/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We try to take a very strong stance against discrimination and hatred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-blecharczyk/we-try-to-take-a-very-strong-stance-against-discrimination-and-hatred/) [Nathan Blecharczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-blecharczyk/) > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [End discrimination and hate everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candy/end-discrimination-and-hate-everyone/) [Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candy/) > [This bill would allow an employee to bring a claim against an employer decades after the alleged initial act of discrimination occurred. Trial lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-mckeon/this-bill-would-allow-an-employee-to-bring-a-claim-against-an/) [Buck McKeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buck-mckeon/) > [Legal discrimination between the sexes is, in almost every instance, founded on outmoded views of society and the pre-scientific beliefs about psychology and physiology.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/legal-discrimination-between-the-sexes-is-in-almost-every-instance/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) [Browse all 1,366 Discrimination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ursula K. 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