Authors

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: 2

Quotes by William Saroyan

I decided very early to love my family, and to see in each of its members something rare and good as well as the miserable and painful things that were obvious. — William Saroyan

Choosing Love Amid Family’s Pain and Grace

Saroyan begins with a striking idea: love within a family is not merely a feeling that appears on its own, but a conscious decision. By saying he “decided very early,” he frames affection as an act of will, suggesting th...

Created on: 7/21/2026

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

William Saroyan's quote draws attention to a paradox deeply embedded in the human experience: the more we chase happiness, the more it slips from our grasp. Modern self-help culture often presents happiness as a destinat...

Created on: 5/20/2025