Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.
quote by Jean de La Fontaine

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Sonnet: On Greatness
Greatness is not a thing, much like an art;
Some man turns great if on it he stumbles;
His greatness ceases, if he thinks, he's great;
Great is he truly who tho' great, humbles.
Greatness is not true greatness, self-proclaimed;
Greatness is not what world showers on us;
Greatness is neither got by being claimed.
Greatness is not achieved by making fuss.
Greatness could come if world decides to give;
Greatness will stay if God blesses our work;
Such greatness, God-destined comes while men live;
Greatness can grow even without much luck.
Greatness doesn't come to everyone on earth;
Some men are made great; some are great by birth.
poem by John Celes

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Forms of Wealth
To money is attributed wealth
But the open truth of wealth
Is, It is not the only kind of wealth—
There are also other forms of wealth!
Good health is the best form of wealth
Forging rich links in relationships is wealth
Spontaneous love for all life forms is wealth
To have enthusiasm in life is wealth.
Acquiring life-long learning is wealth
Experience and wisdom in life is wealth
Meeting new people is also wealth
Visiting new places too is authentic wealth.
The quest to explore something is wealth
To have a positive mind-set is wealth
Existence of deep internal peace is wealth
Early morning waking up with joy is wealth.
Possessing high self-respect is wealth
Having strong spiritual connection is wealth
There exist so many types of wealth
Constitute all these and you're with full wealth!
poem by Chandra Thiagarajan

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
quote by William Shakespeare

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
Vote! | Copy!
Teacher’s Day 2011
Relive those moments when you’re just a kid!
Your mother was your first teacher and dad;
School-teachers did their role beyond compare;
And college-teachers did their part quite fair!
And ‘Teachers’ Day’ has come again this year;
Remember all your teachers very dear;
Contact them in some way and render ‘thanks’;
Teachers are earthly angels in high ranks!
Think of some way of expressing your love;
Gift them something to tell them they were great;
Enquire just asking about their health;
Our teachers are our nation’s pride and wealth!
‘Happy Teacher’s Day! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-09-11
poem by John Celes

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ch 01 Manner Of Kings Story 05
I saw at the palace-gate of Oglimish the son of a military officer
who was endued with marvellous intellect, sagacity, perception and
shrewdness; also the signs of future greatness manifested themselves
on his forehead whilst yet a small boy.
From his head intelligence caused
The star of greatness to shine.
In short, he pleased the sultan because he had a beautiful
countenance and a perfect understanding; and philosophers have said:
'Power consists in accomplishments, not in wealth and greatness in
intellect, not in years.' His companions, being envious, made an
attempt upon his life and desired to kill him but their endeavours
remained fruitless.
What can a foe do when the friend is kind?
The king asked: 'What is the cause of their enmity to thee?' He
replied: 'Under the shadow of the monarchy of my lord I have satisfied
my contemporaries except the envious, who will not be contented but by
the decline of my prosperity, and may the monarchy and good fortune of
my lord be perpetual.'
I may so act as not to hurt the feelings of anyone
But what can I do to an envious man dissatisfied with himself?
Die, O envious man, for this is a malady,
Deliverance from which can be obtained only by death.
Unfortunate men sometimes ardently desire
The decline of prosperous men in wealth and dignity.
If in daytime, bat-eyed persons do not see
Is it the fault of the fountain of light, the sun?
Thou justly wishest that a thousand such eyes
Should be blind rather than the sun dark.
The 'Potential' For Greatness IS There
If a greatness is indeed appreciated,
Wouldn't it take more than one to satiate the taste?
It would lessen the propaganda.
And the hype of it would not be faked.
'Well...
Okay.
Let me say...
The 'potential' for greatness is there.'
mmm...
That makes the taste of it easier to take,
Somehow.
That way,
My expectations aren't set so high.
And I can determine what is given,
More delicious than it is!
You get my point?
'I think so.
YOU want to determine,
The 'greatness'.
And when and 'if' that should be labelled as such!
Giving 'you' a purpose to encourage and spread the word.'
Of course.
I don't want to have it enforced.
I would think you would want my expectations to rise!
To declare something 'great'...
Leaves it to be criticized and opened to be downsized.
'Maybe we should hire you to do our marketing? '
Well...
As you yourself stated,
The 'potential' for greatness is there.
'I now can see,
The point you are making.
The potential for greatness 'IS' there.'
Exactly!
There is no need to overwhelm the message.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Excessively Broke
Wealth of abundance.
Wealth of friends who have abundance.
Wealth of friends who have abundance and influence,
With an ability to persuade those who have created...
Wealth and those connected to it,
Probably do not associated themselves...
With those who just have a wealth of intelligence.
Since those who have a wealth of intelligence...
Usually are the ones excessively broke!
But possess a wealth of humor to entertain.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The virtuos man is known by the desire he has to render his compatriots, if it be possible more illustrious and more happy.
Helvetius in A Treatise on Man (1772)

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
Vote! | Copy! | In Spanish | In Romanian
Happy
We ate the cafes of Chancery lane
We danced Spanish Salsa in the rain
We spoke of visiting countries like Mexico
Later we listened in tunnels to our echoes
In the darkness of the truth
We searched for our roots
Friends make us happy
Family makes us happy
Good health makes us happy
Wealth makes us happy
Love makes us happy, but why?
We marched the parades in New York City
We attentively listened to war news with pity
We sang songs of freedom by great grandfathers
As we watched a salient fireworks extravaganza
In the discovery of the truth
Each made recovery by thoughtful input
Living makes us happy
Giving makes us happy
Good health makes us happy
Wealth makes us happy
Love makes us the happiest, but why?
We sailed the continental slopes of Asia
We flew from Japan and ended up in Australia
We trekked the sandy lands of the Sahara
And in some countries we traveled by car
And in a breakthrough of the truth
We made friends shaking hands while on foot
It takes a little to be happy
For some an army of little candy
A smile can make one happy
Almost everyone wants to be happy
Freedom makes one happy
Good people make us happy
Not those who treat us badly
Entertainment makes us happy
Love makes us the happiest, but why?
poem by Sylvia Chidi

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The man who is anybody and who does anything is surely going to be criticized, vilified, and misunderstood. That is part of the penalty for greatness, and every great man understands it; and understands, too, that it is no proof of greatness. The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure continously without resentment.
quote by Elbert Hubbard

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Extendibly Kept
Greatness declared,
Seems almost too simple to say.
Too simple to adorn that which isn't...
With such a high placed esteem.
Greatness just to say,
With few ways of it expressed.
Seems as if a parody,
Of what isn't there with wishes it could be.
A greatness achieved and extendibly kept,
Takes a constant self reflection.
And a careful watching of one's steps.
A greatness achieved and extendibly kept,
Takes repeated self examination.
With a wanting always to do one's best.
Greatness declared,
Seems almost too simple to say.
Too simple to adorn that which isn't...
With such a high placed esteem.
Greatness just to say,
With few ways of it expressed.
Seems as if a parody,
Of what isn't there with wishes it could be...
Forever peceived and to others believed.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Oh Yes, I'm So Happy!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause i get to hear your lies
i'm so happy
surprise!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you tell lies on me
i'm so happy
see?
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you call me names
i'm so happy
i'v fame!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you break your promises
i'm so happy
i'm joyous!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you gave me some attention
i'm so happy
i'm in heaven!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause i get to be used
i'm so happy
i'm amused!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you spare me a few minutes
i'm so happy
i must be nuts!
oh yes, i'm so happy
cause you let me love you
i'm so happy
i'm through with you!
oh yes, if i was so happy
cause of you
i'll be happier
now without you!
poem by Sandy Nobody

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Reaching The Pinnacle
Greatness!
And reaching the pinnacle,
Of fame and success...
Obtained carefully and taken by steps.
Can leave one unsuspecting...
Breathless.
And insecure at such a lofty height.
But that greatness achieved,
Is not a timeless annointment...
To be left to go unchecked.
Without a truth one should face,
With all that there is centered upon it...
To maintain as greatness is accomplished.
Can never be disrespected or it eventually fades.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Health and Wealth
When I had health, I strived to earn more wealth;
I toiled so hard that I soon lost my health!
When I got wealth, more vice crept in by stealth;
My wealth was gone, so also my good health!
So, keep your health and earn some wealth;
Don't earn more wealth and lose all health;
Just use your wealth to keep your health;
In life on earth, Health is your wealth!
poem by John Celes

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Wealth You Don't Treasure
Wealth you don’t treasure
As you have the key
To the endless pleasure
Of waking up from your dreams
In the middle of night
And tiptoeing to where
The grass is getting its first dew
Preparing the dark liquid
To break into a grey dawn!
Wealth you don’t treasure
As you feel happy in a golden morn
Not knowing why
You get up to go and stand
Quietly beneath a tree
And let your senses brim
With all the sight and sound
Feel the leaves dropp on your hair
In a silent symphony
Before they touch the ground!
Wealth you don’t treasure
As you have in good measure
Everything the wealth can’t buy
A priceless space all your own
For the most treasured dreams to be grown!
poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The important question is not, what will yield to man a few scattered pleasures, but what will render his life happy on the whole amount.
quote by Joseph Addison

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Greatness
You want to be led to greatness.
You believe that it comes,
Without pain and sacrifice.
You perceive it to be a condition taught.
Something instructed or can be bought.
Something delivered upon your acceptance.
But no one known that is considered great...
Waited in anticipation to have it placed,
And presented on a plate as they safely ate!
Greatness isn't something someone takes.
Greatness is announced...
After someone has been trounced,
Through the trenches!
And 'remarkably' survives.
Surprising even the one who is stunned.
This was not a consideration,
In the mind of one who kept focused...
On what at the time,
Needed to be done!
And greatness was bestowed,
By what one did and showed!
Rising to heights,
Inspite of opposition!
And not submitting to a conformity,
That sits and seeks to be led!
Greatness is ahead of those,
Following!
Those feeding,
Upon wishes to be fed!
By that which has been left,
To nibble and taste...
From pioneering explorations!
In a desperation to succeed!
And most times discovered,
In disregard of danger!
In disregard...
Of blood one might bleed!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Of mortals there is no one who is happy. If wealth flows in upon one, one may be perhaps Luckier than one's neighbor, but still not happy.
quote by Robertson Davies

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Of mortals there is no one who is happy. If wealth flows in upon one, one may be perhaps Luckier than one's neighbor, but still not happy.
If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch, indeed who will not give them to him. Such a disposition is like lighting another man's candle by one's own, which loses none of its brilliancy by what the other gains.
quote by William Penn

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!