Patience is the key to contentment.

Patience is the key to contentment.

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy.

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy.

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.

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

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.

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once read more

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of read more

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.

What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others.

What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others.

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.