Happiness is a quality of the soul, not a function of one's material circumstances.

Those who drink to drown their sorrow should be told sorrow knows how to swim.

But what is happiness except for the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads.

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.

There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means—either may do—the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.

A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Surely human affairs would be far happier if the power in men to be silent were the same as that to speak. But experience more than sufficiently teaches that men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues.

Sorrow prepares you for joy.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not everyone's greed.

There are three great friends: an old wife, and old dog, and ready money.

People spend money when and where they feel good.

There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.