Aristotle

Happiness is a quality of the soul...not a function of one's material circumstances.

It is also in the interests of the tyrant to make his subjects poor... the people are so occupied with their daily tasks that they have no time for plotting.

Happiness is a state of activity.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.

It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.

For there are two reasons why human beings face danger calmly: they may have no experience of it, or they may have means to deal with it: thus when in danger at sea people may feel confident about what will happen either because they have no experience of bad weather, or because their experience gives them the means of dealing with it.

Men do not become tyrants in order that they may not suffer cold.

The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.

Nor is he liberal who gives with pain; for he would prefer the wealth to the noble act, and this is not characteristic of a liberal man. But no more will the liberal man take from wrong sources; for such taking is not characteristic of the man who sets no store by wealth.

The ideal man, takes joy in doing favours for others; but he feels ashamed to have others do favours for him. For it is a mark of superiority to confer a kindness; but it is a mark of inferiority to receive it.

In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.

Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.

The pleasures arising from thinking and learning will make us think and learn all the more. 1153a 23

One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.

Happiness is activity of soul.

youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.