When a small child I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment but soon flits away.

A pencil and rubber are of more use to thought than a battalion of assistants. To happiness the same applies as to truth: one does not have it but is in it.

When I was waiting tables washing dishes or mowing lawns for money I never thought of myself as stuck in some station in life. I was on my own path my own journey an American journey where I could think for myself decide for myself define happiness for myself.

I'm fulfilled in what I do. I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes - the finer things of life - would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart live for it die for it and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.

Only man clogs his happiness with care destroying what is with thoughts of what may be.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore guard accordingly and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

When I was 20 I thought I was 30 - but I was so far from it. When you're young you want everything to happen now. As you mature you can look back and see all the great things you achieved with time and patience.

You cannot escape the results of your thoughts. Whatever your present environment may be you will fall remain or rise with your thoughts your vision your ideal. You will become as small as your controlling desire as great as your dominant aspiration.