O Lord! Unhappy is the man whom man can make unhappy.
Interpretation
Happiness should come from within, not from external circumstances or the opinions of others.
This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson emphasizes the idea that true unhappiness stems from allowing others to control our emotions. It suggests that a person who lets external factors determine their happiness is vulnerable to the whims of others, and therefore lacks true inner strength and independence.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-esteem, one might quote this to encourage people to find their happiness internally.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
Bitterness: anger that forgot where it came from.
We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow. Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.
Men who are addicted to the passions are like the torch-carrier running against the wind; his hands are sure to be burned.
When we become expert in something, our tastes grow more esoteric and complex.
I have pledged - to you, the rating agencies and myself - to always run Berkshire with more than ample cash. We never want to count on the kindness of strangers in order to meet tomorrow's obligations. When forced to choose, I will not trade even a night's sleep for the chance of extra profits.
Whenever you feel happiness it is always from the inner. Then mind immediately jumps in and takes control and says, 'It is because of me.' When you are in love, it is like death, you feel blissful. Immediately mind comes in and says, 'Okay, this is me, this is because of me.'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.