Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
It is the paradox of life that the way to miss pleasure is to seek it first. The very first condition of lasting happiness is that a life should be full of purpose, aiming at something outside self.
We never taste a perfect joy; our happiest successes are mixed with sadness.
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
The intimate contest for self-command never ends, and lifetime happiness requires finding the right balance between present impulses and future well-being.
When an action is once done, it is right or wrong for ever; no accidental failure of its good or evil fruits can possibly alter that.
Years of happiness can be lost in the foolish gratification of a momentary desire for pleasure.
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.
The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.
We never taste happiness in perfection, our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.
I was happier when pursuing success than I was when savoring its fruits; the attraction, perhaps the addiction, was in the process, as much as in its end.