On Happiness, Gratitude & Contentment

I came across some really beautiful quotes on happiness and contentment. After reflecting on them, I was reminded of why Islam places so much significance on Shukr (gratitude). It is only when we learn to appreciate His many blessings that we experience true satisfaction, happiness and containment. Hope they benefit!

“...are you happy?"

"I am content."

"What is the difference?"

"Between happiness and contentment? Ah, there you have me. It is not easy to put into words. Contentment is a state of mind and body when the two work in harmony, and there is no friction. The mind is at peace, and the body also. The two are sufficient to themselves. Happiness is elusive--coming perhaps once in a life-time--and approaching ecstasy."

"Not a continuous thing, like contentment?"

"No, not a continuous thing. But there are, after all, degrees of happiness.”

― Daphne du Maurier, Frenchman's Creek

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“Being content with what you have already is an art form that leads to a peace that can’t be replaced by anything else.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert
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“Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.”

― Lao Tzu
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“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

― Socrates

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“Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”

- Todd Stocker

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“I am content; that is a blessing greater than riches; and he to whom that is given need ask no more.”

- Henry Fielding

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"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."

- Epicurus

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"Contentment is the greatest form of wealth"

- Acharya Nāgārjuna