25 Happy Quotes to Lift Your Spirits
Updated: Mar. 05, 2021Inspire yourself with thoughtful quotes from notable people who've all attempted to find the secret to happiness.
Happy quote #1: On compassion
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” —The Dalai Lama
Happy quote #2: On happiness being overrated
“I think happiness is overrated. Satisfied, at peace—those would be more realistic goals.” —Brad Pitt, actor
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Happy quote #3: On not taking yourself too seriously
“I’ve always thought people would find a lot more pleasure in their routines if they burst into song at significant moments.” —John Barrowman, actor
For more wise words to live your life by, check out these insightful Doctor Who quotes.
Happy quote #4: On the “key” to happiness
“People say that money isn’t the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made.” —Joan Rivers, comedian
Looking for more laughs? Here are the best Reader’s Digest jokes of all time.
Happy quote #5: On knowing oneself
“I think self-knowledge is a key to happiness. We can build happy lives only on the foundation of our own natures, our own values, and our own interests.” —Gretchen Rubin, author
Here are more wise quotes worth remembering.
Happy quote #6: On not keeping score
“Personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition or achievement. Your qualifications are not your life.” —J. K. Rowling, novelist
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Happy quote #7: On self-pity
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and you will be happy.” —Stephen Fry, actor and writer
These quotes about forgiveness will help you get past your grudges.
Happy quote #8: On following kids’ example
“Children are happy because they don’t have a file in their minds called ‘all the things that could go wrong.'” —Marianne Williamson, spiritual teacher
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Happy quote #9: On smiling
“I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.” —Paul Simon, musician
Check out these simple acts of kindness you can do in two minutes—or less.
Happy quote #10: On the good and the bad
“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” —The Dalai Lama
Read some more of the Dalai Lama’s wisest words.
Happy quote #11: On happiness being fleeting
“Happiness is like a cloud—if you stare at it long enough, it evaporates.” —Sarah McLachlan, musician
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Happy quote #12: On recognizing happiness
“I often surprise myself by saying, ‘Wow, this is it. I guess I’m happy. I got a home I love. A career that I love. I’m even feeling more and more at peace with myself.’ If there’s something else to happiness, let me know. I’m ambitious for that, too.” —Harrison Ford, actor
These empowering true stories prove that it’s never too late to change your life.
Happy quote #13: On being body positive
“Be happy in your body. It’s the only one you’ve got, so you might as well like it.” —Keira Knightley, actress
Find out Albert Einstein’s secret to happiness—it’s pure genius!
Happy quote #14: On finding light in the dark
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” —Steven Kloves, screenwriter
Just like these happy quotes, these Ernest Hemingway quotes will inspire you to live boldly.
Happy quote #15: On expectations
“The good news is that going blind is not going to make you as unhappy as you think it will. The bad news is that winning the lottery will not make you as happy as you expect.” —Daniel Gilbert, social psychologist
Here are the surprising things lottery winners won’t tell you.
Happy quote #16: On the bad making the good better
“In order to have great happiness, you have to have great pain and unhappiness—otherwise, how would you know when you’re happy?” —Leslie Caron, actress and dancer
Even these happy quotes acknowledge that no one can be happy all the time, and that’s okay. It’s a recurring theme in this collection of memorable quotes from The Crown, as well.
Happy quote #17: On a full life
“Don’t you think it’s better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?” —Audrey Niffenegger, writer
These inspiring cancer quotes from survivors are so powerful.
Happy quote #18: On the little things
“Maybe happiness didn’t have to be about the big sweeping circumstances, about having everything in your life in place. Maybe it was about stringing together a bunch of small pleasures.” —Ann Brashares, author
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Happy quote #19: On happiness being complicated
“Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.” —Joanne Harris, author
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Happy quote #20: On high expectations
“A mathematical formula for happiness: reality divided by expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations.” —Jodi Picoult, author
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Happy quote #21: On a problem-free life
“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” —Steve Maraboli, speaker and author
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Happy quote #22: On balance
“You can’t be really happy unless you’re unhappy sometimes.” —Lauren Oliver, author
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Happy quote #23: On dealing with problems
“A solved problem creates two new problems, and the best prescription for happy living is not to solve any more problems.” —Russell Baker, humourist
Keep the happiness going with this collection of uplifting hope quotes.
Happy quote #24: On letting go
“One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory.” —Rita Mae Brown, feminist author
These insightful Downton Abbey quotes are sure to inspire.
Happy quote #25: On being in charge of your own happiness
“If your happiness depends on what somebody else does, I guess you do have a problem.” —Richard Bach, author
Next, check out the 40+ secrets to a happier life.
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