"The first rule of a happy life is low expectations. If you have unrealistic expectations you're going to be miserable your whole life. You want to have reasonable expectations and take life's results, good and bad, as they happen with a certain amount of stoicism."
–– Charlie Munger (1924-2023), American philanthropist, investor, and businessman
Source: Morgan Housel. Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes. New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2023; p. 34.
via: Sketchbook M 13, 2024, p. 4.
"In spite of illness, in spite even of the arch-enemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways."
–– Edith Wharton (1862-1937), American writer and designer
Source: Austin Kleon newsletter October 25, 2024.
via: Sketchbook O 15, 2024, p. 18.
"I think it's so foolish for people to want to be happy. Happy is so momentary –– you're happy for an instant and they you start thinking again. Interest is the most important thing in life; happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous."
–– Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986), American artist
"In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy."
–– Karl Reiland (1871-1964), American clergyman
via: Commonplace Book 1999-2001, 2001.
"We need to be happy in this wonderland without once being merely comfortable."
–– G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), English writer
Source: Free Will Astrology, June 28, 2018.
via: Sketchbook 30, 2018, p. 89.
