The only joy in the world is to begin.
Cesare Pavese (1908 - 1950)
This is the best kind of voyeurism1, hearing joy from your neighbors.
Chuck Sigars, The World According to Chuck weblog, October 14, 2003
Give not over thy soul to sorrow; and afflict2 not thyself in thy own counsel. Gladness of heart is the life of man and the joyfulness3 of man is length of days.
Ecclesiastes
Do not judge men by mere5 appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles6 over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.
Edward Chapin
Short is the joy that guilty pleasure brings.
Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC)
During [these] periods of relaxation7 after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.
Fritjof Capra, physicist8
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty10" target="_blank">mighty9 one; the being thoroughly11 worn out before you are thrown on the scrap12 heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish13 selfish little clod of ailments14 and grievances15 complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), Man and Superman, Epistle Dedicatory
We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
I feel like a tiny bird with a big song!
Jerry Van Amerongen, Ballard Street, 08-18-05
I'm always sorry when pleasant things end. Something still pleasanter may come after, but you can never be sure.
L. M. Montgomery (1874 - 1942), Anne of Green Gables, 1908
Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it.
L. M. Montgomery (1874 - 1942), Anne of Green Gables, 1908
It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.
L. M. Montgomery (1874 - 1942), Anne of Green Gables, 1908
Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them. You mayn't get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them.
L. M. Montgomery (1874 - 1942), Anne of Green Gables, 1908
Joy is not a commodity to be hoarded16 and protected. It is like a muscle. It must be used daily to keep strong and vigorous. For all my hardships, I have been able to remain quite joyful4, for my muscles are strong.
Laura Moncur (1969 - ), The Secret Heart of Charlotte Lucas, 2014
I've grown to realize the joy that comes from little victories is preferable to the fun that comes from ease and the pursuit of pleasure.
Lawana Blackwell, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter, 1998
I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis17 of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!
Louise Bogan
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.
Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey, 1995
The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.
Michel de Montaigne (1533 - 1592)
Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)
The joy of a spirit is the measure of its power.
Ninon de Lenclos (1620 - 1705)
I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being18 and internal peace - a connection to what matters.
Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), O Magazine
There is an alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted19 into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness.
Pearl Buck20 (1892 - 1973)
Winning is important to me, but what brings me real joy is the experience of being fully22" target="_blank">fully21 engaged in whatever I'm doing.
Phil Jackson
Joy is not in things; it is in us.
Richard Wagner
Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
My mind to me a kingdom is,
Such present joys therein I find,
That it excels all other bliss23.
Sir Edward Dyer
Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865 - 1940)
There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life.
Sister Mary Rose McGeady
When you jump for joy, beware that no one moves the ground from beneath your feet.
Stanislaw J. Lec (1909 - 1966), "Unkempt Thoughts"
