"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy."

Happiness

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Happiness as articulated by Lao Tzu. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Happiness provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Lao Tzu

Laozi is the name traditionally given to an ancient Chinese philosopher, also identified as Li Er or Lao Dan, who is regarded as the author or originating teacher associated with the Tao Te Ching, one of the foundational texts of Taoism. Traditional accounts place him in the 6th century BC state of Chu during China's Spring and Autumn period, describe him as a keeper of archival records at the Zhou court, and remember him as an elder contemporary of Confucius. Modern scholars remain divided over his identity, dates, and precise relationship to the received text: some regard the traditional Laozi as largely or wholly legendary, while others consider a historical Lao Dan plausible and accept the tradition that he was a senior contemporary of Confucius.

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More by Lao Tzu

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

— Lao Tzu
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"Wisdom principle 84 tells us that the journey of life is lesson 13."

— Lao Tzu
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

— Lao Tzu
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"It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins."

— Lao Tzu
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More about Happiness

"Happiness, for you we walk on a knife edge. To the eyes you are a flickering light, to the feet, thin ice that cracks and so may no one touch you who loves you."

— Eugenio Montale
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"I've had at least my share of tragedy, but I have had far more than my share of happiness."

— Pierre Salinger
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"The day I got back on my board... it was not necessarily hard. I was just so glad to get back in the water, because I'd been anxious for like a week. When I first got up on my first wave, or it was actually my third wave, but I rode it all the way to the beach, and after that, I just had, like, tears of happiness... I was so stoked to be out there."

— Bethany Hamilton
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"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping."

— Bo Derek
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