“To be perfectly happy it does not suffice to possess happiness, it is necessary to have deserved it.”
- February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885
- Born in France
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels and poems such as “Les Miserables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris,” he was a representative figure of French Romantic literature and had a worldwide influence.
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Quote
“To be perfectly happy it does not suffice to possess happiness, it is necessary to have deserved it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Victor Hugo suggests that true happiness is not merely about having the outward circumstances or possessions that bring contentment. Instead, it requires a sense of worthiness or moral justification—the feeling that one has earned or deserved that happiness. Simply possessing happiness without deserving it leads to a sense of emptiness or unfulfillment, as happiness achieved without merit may feel shallow or unearned. Deserving happiness, on the other hand, involves a deeper sense of integrity, personal growth, and ethical living that aligns with a sense of self-respect and meaning.
Hugo’s words reflect his belief that happiness is not just a transient feeling but something that should be built on a foundation of virtue and purpose. This idea suggests that genuine fulfillment comes when we feel that our joy is rooted in the goodness of our actions, our relationships, and the way we live our lives.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the idea that true happiness is not only about external achievements or pleasure, but also about inner fulfillment and a sense of earned contentment. It encourages us to seek happiness through meaningful efforts, knowing that the happiness we achieve through hard work, kindness, and moral integrity is the kind that leads to lasting peace and satisfaction.
