Good happiness quotes to make you feel radiant, cheerful & hopeful

Happiness is an emotion that many people strive to feel. Everyone has their definition of what happiness means, and therefore different modes exist for seeking it out. For some, happiness may be smiling and feeling carefree. For others, it could be feeling content or having a fulfilling career. Happiness quotes can be a way to connect with what makes you happy deep down.

This article features quotes about happiness, ranging from reflections about what it means to experience true happiness in life to the best happy quotes about love. We hope you find some of these happiness quotes relatable and uplifting.

“You can’t be happy unless you’re unhappy sometimes.”
―Lauren Oliver, Delirium

This quote may sound like a paradox, but there could be some truth to it. If you are always happy, it may feel easy to take it for granted and not fully appreciate it. However, experiencing hardship often leads to growth and a greater appreciation for happiness when it comes around. It can be like finding water in a desert or going to sleep after pulling an all-nighter. 

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”
―Ernest Hemingway, The Garden of Eden

They say that ignorance is bliss. The idea is that the wiser you are, the more pessimistic you may be since you are more equipped to see the ills of the world. However, many factors besides intelligence can play into someone’s degree of happiness. These include genetics, healthcare, gender, income, and mental health.

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
―Charles M. Schulz

One thing that can increase happiness for many people is a pet. It may be hard not to feel happy when a puppy licks you or your cat curls up next to you and starts purring. Your pets often care for you, no matter how sad you’re feeling, and they can be there to cheer you up and brighten your day.

“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”      

--Unknown

This quote has been attributed to various people, most famously Dr. Seuss. It’s another example of trying to look on the bright side despite our circumstances. 

For example, maybe you’re going on a vacation; you may feel a bit upset once the vacation is over and you go back to your routine. However, you may also be happy that you got to have the experience that you did. Take some time to look over photos of your experience and relive the fun times. You could think of it as a bittersweet moment.

“No medicine cures what happiness cannot.”

―Gabriel García Márquez

This quote from Gabrial Garcia Márquez refers to happiness as a powerful force that may be able to heal emotional and mental ailments that medicine cannot. It suggests that while medicine can cure physical illnesses, it cannot always cure emotional pain or provide long-lasting happiness. 

True happiness is a state of mind, and it is something that can only be achieved by finding contentment in oneself and one's surroundings. It highlights the importance of prioritizing one's mental health and finding happiness within oneself rather than relying on external factors to bring joy and contentment.

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.”
―Mark Twain

Roy Bennett’s quote can be similar to the principles of mindfulness. Many of us think about the past and tend to hyper-focus on it. We may become upset by our past mistakes and wish we could turn back time and change things. We also might worry about the future. 

The things we imagine are often much worse than the coming reality.  Focusing on the here and now and taking time to enjoy the present may make you happier. While it may be normal to think about the past on occasion so you can learn from your mistakes and plan for the future, dwelling on the past could be problematic. 

Specifically, focusing on the past could keep you from looking at what’s in front of you and cause you to miss significant experiences in the moment.

“I think and think and think; I’ve thought myself out of happiness one million times but never once into it.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer

Overthinking things may lead to unhappiness. You might worry over whether people like you or if someone is mad at you because they’re taking too long to respond to a text, for example. However, we often overthink things that are not entirely realistic or pertinent to the here and now. 

For instance, worrying about being a bad parent before you even have kids, or maybe even knowing whether you want to have kids, may result in unnecessary stress, and distract you from the happiness you could be experiencing at the moment.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim, and the end of human existence.”
―Aristotle

Many people wonder what the goal of humanity is at some point or another. Many of us ultimately decide that the goal is to be happy. Many of us want a comfortable life where we don’t have to worry about just surviving. 

Of course, others struggle with this endeavor. Since everyone has a different definition of happiness, true happiness can be elusive. It may be helpful to remember that only you can define happiness or success for yourself.

“Stop comparing yourself to other people; just choose to be happy and live your own life.”
―Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Wanting what other people has been a classic struggle of humanity. While envy can be a motivator to go out and accomplish something, it can also hold you back if you fixate on what others have. Doing so could cause you to forget all the good in your life.

“Laughter is poison to fear.”
―George R.R. Martin, A Game of Ice and Fire

For ages, humans have used humor to cope with their fears and struggles. Laughter is the ultimate coping mechanism for many, and studies show that it can reduce stress. Smiling at your thoughts and emotions instead of ignoring them may make them feel less powerful. Finding the light in the dark is often an invaluable happiness tool for many.

“Love is too precious to be ashamed of.”
―Laurell K. Hamilton, A Stroke of Midnight

Shame is often a common reason people are unhappy with themselves. Try not to concern yourself with what society thinks of your relationships. 

“Expectations make people miserable, so whatever yours are, lower them. You’ll be happier.”
―Simone Elkeles, How to Ruin Your Boyfriend’s Reputation

Setting your expectations high and idealizing things may be one of the reasons why some people are unhappy. If you overhype a movie, for example, and it doesn’t end up living up to the hype, you might feel disappointed. On the other hand, if you go into the movie with more moderate expectations, you might end up happier with the experience. A positive surprise will always be more enjoyable than a negative surprise. Of course, there are some things in life that you may have high expectations for, such as boundaries in personal relationships.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

--Mahatma Gandhi

This quote is similar to the Marcus Aurelius quote “Happiness depends upon the quality of your thoughts: Therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.” In these happy quotes these icons highlight how important it is to think what you say, to be true to your own ideals and values. 

Increasing happiness through therapy 

If you’re struggling to increase moments of happiness or think you might be experiencing a mental health condition and happiness quotes aren't working, consider attending counseling. Counseling has many benefits, and you can choose a modality that works best for your lifestyle. For example, you might benefit from online therapy if you’re often busy or have a schedule outside of regular business hours. 

Researchers have investigated the mental health benefits of internet-based counseling. Studies have shown that online therapy is effective in helping individuals experiencing low moods. Specifically, this type of remote treatment can result in relief from depressive symptoms in some people.