“Human beings are the same joyful, resilient, imperfect people today that we were 100 years ago, 1,000 years ago, and 10,000 years ago. We have the same π£π¦π’πΆπ΅πͺπ§πΆπ minds.” β Phil Van Treuren
You could say that the ultimate goal of Stoic philosophy is to find the ability to be happy — truly happy — in any circumstance. The ancient philosophers who practiced Stoicism in their daily lives knew that it was within their power to choose to find happiness in their lives, regardless of what was happening externally.
Happiness truly is a choice, and the quotes from Stoics on how to be happy that we’re including below really illustrate that. It’s not events that make us happy, but our interpretation of those events.
Because Stoicism seeks to rid us of bad feelings and accentuate good feelings, there are plenty of great quotes on happiness throughout Stoic writing. These are just a few of the best ones, but we encourage you to seek out more that you can apply to your own life.
Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Marcus Aurelius
“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.”
“Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all in yourself, in your way of thinking.”
“The happiness of those who want to be popular depends on others; the happiness of those who seek pleasure fluctuates with moods outside their control; but the happiness of the wise grows out of their own free acts.”
βTo live happily is an inward power of the soul.”
βThe happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.β
βI can at once become happy anywhere, for he is happy who has found himself a happy lot. In a word, happiness lies all in the functions of reason, in warrantable desires and virtuous practice.”
Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Epictetus
“Contentment, as it is a short road and pleasant, has great delight and little trouble.“
“Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants.“
“Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.you will have over your own life.”
Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Seneca
“A man is as miserable as he thinks he is.”
“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.“
“A good character is the only guarantee of everlasting, carefree happiness.“
“Happy is the man who can endure the highest and lowest fortune. He who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity has deprived misfortune of its power.“
Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Viktor Frankl
“Life is not a quest for pleasure, or for power, but a quest for meaning.”
“It is the very pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.”
“For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.”
Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Gaius Musonius Rufus
“Willingly accept the inevitable, and you will lead a life in harmony with the universe.”
“Itβs not possible to live well today . . . unless you treat it as your last day.”
“Reflect on how many things have happened that you didnβt want, and yet they turned out for the best.”
More about the Most Famous Stoicism Quotes on Happiness & Ancient Stoic Philosophers
Stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens in the early 3rd century BCE, teaches the development of self-control and virtue as a means to achieve a life in harmony with nature.
At the heart of Stoic teaching lies the pursuit of happiness, a joy that is rooted in tranquility and understanding rather than fleeting pleasures.
Over the years, numerous Stoic philosophers have penned their thoughts on happiness, and many of their quotes continue to inspire and guide individuals today. Here are a few more famous Stoic quotes on happiness in life and the philosophers behind them.
1. Seneca
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher, has left us with a treasure trove of writings that address human suffering, ethics, and the good life. One of his most famous quotes on happiness states:
“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.”
This quote underscores the Stoic belief in the value of living in the present moment, free from the worries of the future or regrets from the past.
2. Marcus Aurelius
As a Roman Emperor and a Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius penned his personal reflections and ideas in what is now known as “Meditations”. He wrote:
“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.”
Here, Marcus Aurelius reminds us of the Stoic principle that our external circumstances do not dictate our happiness, but rather our internal thoughts and reactions to those circumstances.
3. Epictetus
A former slave turned Stoic philosopher, Epictetus focused a lot on the distinction between things we can control and things we cannot. He believed that understanding and accepting this difference is key to achieving happiness. He stated:
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.”
This quote emphasizes that our judgments and perceptions shape our emotions and our overall sense of well-being. It’s not events themselves that disturb us, but how we choose to perceive them.
4. Zeno of Citium
As the founder of Stoicism, Zenoβs teachings laid the groundwork for subsequent Stoic philosophers. His thoughts on happiness resonate with the core tenets of Stoicism:
“Happiness is a good flow of life.”
Zeno’s simple yet profound statement encapsulates the Stoic perspective that aligning oneself with the natural order and flow of the universe leads to genuine happiness.
5. Chrysippus
A central figure in the Stoic movement, Chrysippus expanded upon Zeno’s teachings. His views on happiness emphasize the significance of virtue:
“Happiness is the realization of oneβs wishes; but the standard is not manβs ignorance but the nature of the thing.”
Chrysippus hints at the idea that happiness isn’t just about achieving our desires, but in aligning those desires with the greater good and nature’s way.
The Stoics believed that true happiness isn’t found in external possessions or circumstances but in cultivating an inner state of tranquility, virtue, and alignment with nature. Their teachings offer timeless wisdom, emphasizing that our thoughts and perceptions, more than external events, shape our contentment and joy.