“I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and a short memory! I wish I’d invented it, because it is very true.”
- May 4, 1929 – January 20, 1993
- British
- Actress, Humanitarian, Fashion Icon, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
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Quote
“I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and a short memory! I wish I’d invented it, because it is very true.”
Explanation
In this lighthearted yet insightful quote, Audrey Hepburn reflects on a simple and resonant definition of happiness: good health and the ability to let go of the past. The phrase “a short memory” captures the emotional wisdom of not dwelling on regrets, grudges, or pain, which often cloud joy. By pairing this with health, she acknowledges that both the physical and mental aspects of well-being are essential to contentment.
Her admission—“I wish I’d invented it”—adds a touch of humility and humor, while also affirming the truth in the statement. Having endured the hardships of war, personal loss, and the pressures of fame, Hepburn likely understood that clinging to suffering impedes happiness, while healing often requires a kind of selective forgetting. Happiness, in her view, comes not from perfection, but from learning how to move forward lightly.
Today, the quote remains relevant in a world saturated with stress and long memories—both personal and digital. It reminds us to cherish our health and practice emotional release, choosing not to be burdened by every past misstep or injury. Hepburn’s words offer a timeless prescription for peace: stay well, and don’t let yesterday steal today.
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