Authors

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) was an American novelist and short-story writer known for his dark psychological insight and use of symbolism. His works, including The Scarlet Letter, often examine guilt, morality, and the elusive nature of happiness.

Quotes: 1

Quotes by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. — Nathaniel Hawthorne

How Happiness Arrives When We Stop Chasing

At first glance, Hawthorne’s image of happiness as a butterfly captures a familiar frustration: the more desperately we chase joy, the more it seems to recede. Like a butterfly startled by sudden movement, happiness ofte...

Created on: 5/25/2026