29 Top Quotes From The Art of Happiness
What is The Art of Happiness About?
"The Art of Happiness" is a profound collaboration between the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and psychiatrist Howard Cutler. This book delves into the nature of happiness and how individuals can cultivate a more joyful and meaningful life. The Dalai Lama shares his wisdom and insights on various topics, including compassion, altruism, and the pursuit of inner peace. Through conversations with Cutler, the book offers a unique blend of Eastern spiritual principles and Western psychological perspectives. The authors emphasize the importance of cultivating positive mental states, developing empathy for others, and finding purpose and contentment in life. "The Art of Happiness" encourages readers to seek genuine happiness that extends beyond fleeting pleasures, leading to a more profound and sustainable sense of well-being. By blending timeless wisdom with practical advice, this book offers a pathway to a happier and more fulfilled existence. (The Art of Happiness Summary)
The Art of Happiness Quotes
[Favorite Quote]: "It’s the very struggle of life that makes us who we are. And it is our enemies that test us, provide us with the resistance necessary for growth.” (Meaning)
2. “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
3. "If we carefully examine any given situation in a very unbiased and honest way, we will realize that to a large extent we are also responsible for the unfolding of events."
4. “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.”
5. "People tend to expect the other person to respond to them in a positive way first, rather than taking the initiative themselves to create that possibility."
6. "If you can, serve other people, other sentient beings. If not, at least refrain from harming them."
7. "If the situation or problem is such that it can be remedied, then there is no need to worry about it."
8. “Although you may not always be able to avoid difficult situations,you can modify the extent to which you can suffer by how you choose to respond to the situation.”
9. "It is more sensible to spend the energy focusing on the solution rather than worrying about the problem."
10. “We need to learn how to want what we have NOT to have what we want"
11. "Being honest with oneself and others about what you are or are not capable of doing can counteract that feeling of lack of self-confidence."
12. “Happiness is determined more by one's state of mind than by external events.”
13. "It is unhappy people who tend to be most self-focused and are often socially withdrawn, brooding, and even antagonistic. Happy people, in contrast, are generally found to be more sociable, flexible, and creative and are able to tolerate life’s daily frustrations"
14. “The more honest you are, the more open, the less fear you will have, because there's no anxiety about being exposed or revealed to others.”
15. "The time and effort we spend searching for meaning in suffering will pay great rewards when bad things begin to strike. "
16. "If one is seeking to build a truly satisfying relationship, the best way of bringing this about is to get to know the deeper nature of the person and relate to her or him on that level"
17. "A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can’t grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon."
18. “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
19. "One could define compassion as the feeling of unbearableness at the sight of other people’s suffering, other sentient beings’ suffering. And in order to generate that feeling one must first have an appreciation of the seriousness or intensity of another’s suffering. "
20. “As long as there is a lack of the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, no matter what external facilities or conditions you have, they will never give you the feeling of joy and happiness that you are seeking"
21. “The highest happiness is when one reaches the stage of Liberation, at which there is no more suffering. That’s genuine, lasting happiness."
22. "Happiness that depends mainly on physical pleasure is unstable; one day it’s there, the next day it may not be.”
23. "If you can learn to develop patience and tolerance towards your enemies, then everything else becomes much easier—your compassion towards all others begins to flow naturally.”
24. "As long as we view suffering as an unnatural state, an abnormal condition that we fear, avoid, and reject, we will never uproot the causes of suffering and begin to live a happier life.”
25. "If we think about the projected injustices done to us, the ways in which we have been unfairly treated, and we keep on thinking about them over and over, then that feeds the hatred. It makes the hatred very powerful and intense."
26. "We don’t need more money, we don’t need greater success or fame, we don’t need the perfect body or even the perfect mate – right now, at this very moment, we have a mind, which is all the basic equipment we need to achieve complete happiness.”
27. "If our wants and desires remain unchecked, sooner or later we will run up against something that we want but can’t have."
28. “if you are truly concerned about the welfare of others and building a better world, it is your duty to be happy "
29. “Our feelings of contentment are strongly influenced by our tendency to compare.”
― Quotes from the book The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV
Who is the Author of The Art of Happiness?
The Dalai Lama, whose spiritual name is Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and an emblematic figure of peace, compassion, and wisdom. As the 14th Dalai Lama, he has been a consistent advocate for non-violence, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of basic human values. With a warm and approachable demeanor, he tirelessly travels the world, sharing his teachings and engaging with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The Dalai Lama's core message revolves around the cultivation of inner peace and genuine happiness through practices like meditation and compassion for others. His philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and encourages individuals to rise above self-centeredness, fostering a sense of global responsibility and empathy. Through his numerous books and public talks, the Dalai Lama continues to inspire millions to embrace kindness, tolerance, and understanding as essential ingredients for building a more harmonious and compassionate world.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
