William Saroyan

William Saroyan (1908–1981) was an Armenian-American novelist, playwright and short-story writer known for his humanistic, optimistic portrayals of ordinary people. His work, including The Human Comedy and plays and stories from the 1930s–1950s, often explored self-reliance, joy, and the ironies of daily life, reflected in quotes about happiness and contentment.

Quotes by William Saroyan

Quotes: 1

The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness. — William Saroyan

Finding True Contentment Beyond the Pursuit of Happiness

Ultimately, Saroyan’s insight reveals an unexpected benefit; by relinquishing the need for happiness, we paradoxically discover a deeper, more enduring contentment. This is akin to the Buddhist concept of non-attachment: as soon as we loosen our grip, peace and fulfillment can naturally arise. Thus, happiness flourishes—not as a goal to be conquered, but as a byproduct of living with acceptance, reduced expectations, and an open heart. [...]

Created on: 5/20/2025