Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.
Interpretation
True happiness comes from our inner state and choices, not external circumstances.
Thomas Jefferson's quote emphasizes that our happiness is not determined by the external conditions we find ourselves in, but rather by our internal values and choices. A clear conscience, good health, meaningful work, and the freedom to seek just pursuits are key components that contribute to a fulfilling and happy life.
In practice
During a motivational speech about the importance of mental health.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
The joy of Being, which is the only true happiness, cannot come to you through any form, possession, achievement, person, or event - through anything that happens. That joy cannot come to you - ever. It emanates from the formless dimension within you, from consciousness itself and thus is one with who you are.
I am so far from being a pessimist...on the contrary, in spite of my scars, I am tickled to death at life.
Wherein lies happiness? In that which becks Our ready minds to fellowship divine, A fellowship with essence; till we shine, Full alchemiz’d, and free of space. Behold The clear religion of heaven!
It is with happiness as with watches: the less complicated, the less easily deranged.
I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.
Real joy seems to me almost as unlike security or prosperity as it is unlike agony.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.