David Niven Quotes

You always hear the phrase, money doesn't buy you happiness. But I always in the back of my mind figured a lot of money will buy you a little bit of happiness. But it's not really true. I got a new car because the old one's lease expired.

I used to think that having many material things would increase one's stock of happiness. I found that to be completely untrue. The trappings don't make the man at all.

I'm not an overly material person. Sure, I like certain comforts in life. But buying a lot of 'things' doesn't produce happiness for me.

Buying is a profound pleasure.

Happiness will come from materialism, not from meaning.

Stuff can't make you happy.

What I think is so amazing about having everything, and feeling like I have everything, is that I don't really find happiness within materialistic things. Like, it's cool if I can buy myself a new car, and I think it's amazing for a week, but then the thrill is over, and I'm like, 'Oh, so I guess that wasn't really happiness.'

I try to stress to my children that buying something never leads to true happiness.

Low-cost gear can make restless people like myself feel marginally happier.

You want the people to know, but you don't really want the things behind it. I have everything I ever wanted. I never wanted a big house. I never wanted a Ferrari. I mean, as I proceeded with the music, I started liking Ferraris...

Poor is the man who desires a lot

Possessions only provide temporary happiness.

Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body

Guys, just remember, if you get lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you get out and buy a lot of stuff--it's gonna break. You got your biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It's got a pool. Just think of all the pumps that are going to go out. Or go to a yacht basin any place in the world. Nobody is smiling, and I'll tell you why. Something broke that morning. The generator's out; the microwave oven doesn't work . . . Things just don't mean happiness.

It’s hard, in America, not to equate ‘happiness’ with ‘things’.

I am totally unattached to material items.

There is no dramatic difference in happiness on the part of people who are wealthy.

A new car is not going to change your life.

Money gives me pleasure all the time.

No, nothing has changed in my life at all, and nothing would change if I had millions.

The media is convincing people that if you have that 'next thing,' that diamond, the right car, then you'd be happier.

You don't find happiness by being able to buy everything you want, whenever you want it.

Everyone needs a certain amount of money. Beyond that, we pursue money because we know how to obtain it. We don't necessarily know how to obtain happiness.

Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million but I was just as happy when I had $48 million.

I don't like to attach myself to material things.