James Hilton Quotes

The deepest instinct is to want to do something enduring, something worthwhile, and to be engaged by that, whether one achieves it or not.

I'm fulfilling my dreams that I had as a kid every single day. That's why I'm trying to enjoy it so much.

What fulfills me are the goals that I have in life. And those goals are not just about scoring goals, although the goals give me a lot of strength and happiness.

I am deeply fulfilled by all that I do.

Nothing gives quite the satisfaction that doing things brings.

Do you reckon Tom Sawyer was satisfied after all them adventures?

You have to be doing something you enjoy. That is a definition of happiness: Complete use of one's faculties along lines leading to excellence in a life affording them scope. It applies to women as well as to men. We can't all reach it, but we can try to reach it to some degree.

When I'm on a roll nothing makes me happier or feel more satisfied, like plugging in, life makes sense.

I know what happiness is, for I have done good work.

One works because I suppose it is the most interesting thing one knows to do. The days one works are the best days. On the other days one is hurrying through the other things one imagines one has to do to keep one's life going.

You may have success in life, but then just think of it - what kind of life was it? What good was it - you've never done the thing you wanted to do in all your life. I always tell my students, go where your body and soul want to go. When you have the feeling, then stay with it, and don't let anyone throw you off.

When you do something that works you have a happiness, but I don't know if it's a feeling of power. Power is a frightening thing and that's not what I'm interested in. I want to do certain things and make them right in my mind and that's it.

I'm a content person and I'm content knowing that I gave it my all when I was president.

Winning a trophy is always nice, but my personal satisfaction comes from reflecting on the passion, motivation, and determination that went into getting me there.

If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say- the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced, can true happiness be attained.

I think success is about purpose. People ask about success at different points in your life. As I look back, I think people that are successful feel good about what they are doing, and they can look back at what they've done and they feel good about it. People sometimes ask about success and they say, "What's your legacy?" and I say, "I think it's really a dumb question." I think the question is: What am I doing now? Do I feel good about myself? Am I proud of myself? Whatever purpose there is in life, I think success is about purpose. It's not about material things.

I only take on roles that I'm passionate about. Life is too short to do things that you're not happy with.

It was worth it. You looked... happy.

I certainly won't have an empty life!

Doing something purely for one's own enjoyment is fine, but, I must admit, finding that others enjoy it as well has a certain power over the corners of my mouth.

"What would you call the highest happiness, Lewie?" he asked. "The sense of competence," was the answer, given without hesitation.

What we do in our lives is what gives us contentment and serenity and makes us feel like we are doing some kind of contribution.

Happiness is knowin' you've done a good job, whether it's professional or for another person.

To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment.

If you make something your life's work, make sure it's something you can feel proud of when you're an old relic like me.