“There are two main reasons why this assumption is wrong. First, once basic material needs have been met, there is very little evidence that pursuing financial prosperity generates much extra happiness for individuals or for nations. Second, by blindly pursuing economic growth, we are creating a whole set of social and environmental issues that will undermine the potential happiness and well-being of future generations.”

“Much of modern life is based upon a false logic, a logic that assumes that happiness and well-being come from financial prosperity.”

“Even if we act to erase material poverty, there is another greater task; it is to confront the poverty of satisfaction – purpose and dignity – that afflicts us all. Too much and for too long, we seemed to have surrendered personal excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our Gross National Product, now, is over $800 billion a year, but that Gross National Product … counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them. It counts...”

“The time is ripe for our measurement system to shift emphasis from measuring economic production to measuring people’s well-being. And measures of well-being should be put in a context of sustainability.”

“To the European, it is a characteristic of the American culture that, again and again, one is commanded and ordered to 'be happy.' But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to 'be happy.' Once the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically. As we see, a human being is not one in pursuit of happiness but rather in search of a reason to become happy, last but not least, through actualizing the potential meaning inherent and dormant in a given situation.”

“Well, you have to accept this.Check it out.You know how when someone dies, people are all sad and stuff?""Yeah?""Well,why are they sad?"His face scrunched up quizzically and then brightened."Because they won't be able to see their loved ones again. They'll miss them.""No!" she shouted, suddenly standing and pacing like a detective delivering the evidence to a room full of suspects."It's because they have to rely on faith that they will see that person again in heaven or..." Her eyes drifted toward the sky."Wherever. When someone close to you dies, your faith is at its shakiest. Even if you're an atheist."He cocked his head to the side,"How do you figure?""It just happens. Death causes people to reevaluate their beliefs. It brings up questions you don't want to ask;it creates anxiety.”

“As long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are - what others say is irrelevant.”