--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We tend to believe that if we could just…" description: "\"“We tend to believe that if we could just change our workplace, get married, finish writing that novel, buy a new car or repay the mortgage, we would b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/yuval-noah-harari-100_quote_we-tend-to-believe-that-if-we-could-just_1318587.jpg" --- # We tend to believe that if we could just change our… ![“We tend to believe that if we could just change our workplace, get married, finish writing that novel, buy a new car or repay the mortgage, we would be on top of the world. Yet when we get what we desire we don’t seem to be any happier. Buying cars and writing novels do not change our…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/yuval-noah-harari-100_quote_we-tend-to-believe-that-if-we-could-just_1318587.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/yuval-noah-harari-100_quote_we-tend-to-believe-that-if-we-could-just_1318587.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdc/yuval-noah-harari-100_quote_we-tend-to-believe-that-if-we-could-just_1318587.jpg) > ““We tend to believe that if we could just change our workplace, get married, finish writing that novel, buy a new car or repay the mortgage, we would be on top of the world. Yet when we get what we desire we don’t seem to be any happier. Buying cars and writing novels do not change our biochemistry. They can startle it for a fleeting moment, but it is soon back to its set point.”” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. External achievements temporarily shift mood, but lasting happiness is governed by biology and set points. **In simple terms:** External gains give fleeting happiness. Key Takeaway Seek deeper, sustainable well‑being. Themes happiness biology set point Mood thoughtful analytical Type psychological philosophical When to use this quote - goal setting - mindfulness - health habits - therapy Key Concepts neuroscience psychology Questions to Reflect On - What internal practices sustain happiness? - How can you reframe success beyond possessions? A Different Perspective Relying on material gains leads to disappointment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [New car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-car/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged . 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