Happiness quote by John Stuart Mill

Mobile Desktop
I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them
Like

"I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them"

- John Stuart Mill

About this Quote

John Stuart Mill was a British thinker, economist, and political theorist who lived in the 19th century. The quote "I have actually found out to seek my happiness by restricting my desires, rather than trying to please them" shows Mill's approach of utilitarianism, which holds that the goal of human action ought to be to optimize joy or utility.

According to Mill, happiness can be accomplished by limiting our desires, instead of by constantly aiming to meet them. He thought that people can become caught in a limitless cycle of desire and consumption, which ultimately results in discontentment, disappointment, and unhappiness. By restricting our desires, we can learn to appreciate what we already have and discover satisfaction in basic enjoyments.

Mill's viewpoint of utilitarianism likewise stressed the importance of social and political organizations that promote the best good for the greatest variety of people. He thought that federal governments should work to create conditions that would enable people to attain joy and satisfaction, such as education, health care, and social well-being programs.

In general, Mill's quote highlights the idea that real joy comes from within, which by limiting our desires and expectations, we can learn to live a more fulfilling and pleasing life.

About the Author

John Stuart Mill This quote is written / told by John Stuart Mill between May 20, 1806 and May 8, 1873. He was a famous Philosopher from England, the quote is categorized under the topic Happiness. The author also have 44 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted
Plato
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"
Plato, Philosopher
Small: Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling - Margaret Lee Runbeck
Margaret Lee Runbeck
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling"
Margaret Lee Runbeck, Author
Small: Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action - Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli
"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action"
Benjamin Disraeli, Statesman
Small: Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it - Jean Antoine Petit-Senn
"Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it"
Jean Antoine Petit-Senn, Poet
Small: Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
"Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances"
Benjamin Franklin, Politician
Small: Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities - Aristotle
Aristotle
"Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities"
Aristotle, Philosopher
Small: Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory - Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory"
Albert Schweitzer, Theologian
Small: The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts therefore guard accordingly - Marcus Aure
Marcus Aurelius
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly"
Marcus Aurelius, Soldier
Small: There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something - He
Henry Ford
"There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something"
Henry Ford, Businessman
Small: The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken - Henry W. Longfellow
Henry W. Longfellow
"The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken"
Henry W. Longfellow, Poet