--- 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. In the middle cat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ursula-k-le-guin-138_categories_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_887860.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. In the middle category, however - that of the unnecessary but undestructive, that of comfort, luxury, exuberance, etc” quote by Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ursula-k-le-guin-138_categories_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_887860.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ursula-k-le-guin-138_categories_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_887860.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ursula-k-le-guin-138_categories_happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discriminat_887860.jpg) > “Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive. In the middle category, however - that of the unnecessary but undestructive, that of comfort, luxury, exuberance, etc” [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 distinguishing essential needs, neutral comforts, and harmful excesses, and recognizing that unnecessary but harmless comforts can become distractions. **In simple terms:** Identify what truly matters versus excess. Key Takeaway Prioritize essentials, limit indulgence. Themes happiness values balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - personal budgeting - career planning - health choices - environmental impact Key Concepts need assessment minimalism well‑being Questions to Reflect On - What comforts are truly unnecessary? - How can you balance essential needs with harmless pleasures? A Different Perspective Neglecting neutral comforts may cause unnecessary deprivation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [Exuberance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exuberance/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) ## Related quotes > [“Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/happiness-is-based-on-a-just-discrimination-of-what-is-necessary-what-2/) [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Happiness is not based on material things we have or status we achieved. 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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. 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