To the right, books; to the left, a tea-cup. In front of me, the fireplace; behind me, the post. There read more

To the right, books; to the left, a tea-cup. In front of me, the fireplace; behind me, the post. There is no greater happiness than this.

He that is well paid is well satisfied.

He that is well paid is well satisfied.

It is not our circumstances that create our discontent or contentment. It is us.

It is not our circumstances that create our discontent or contentment. It is us.

Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy.

Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy.

Whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and read more

Whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and set me to thinking of plans to gain my freedom.

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.

We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.

We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.

I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive.

I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive.

Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for read more

Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.