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All explorers are seeking something they have lost. It is seldom that they find it, and more seldom still that the attainment brings them greater happiness than the quest.

— Arthur C. Clarke The City and the Stars (1956)

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Happiness

More quotes by Arthur C. Clarke

Space can be mapped and crossed and occupied without definable limit; but it can never be conquered.

We'll Never Conquer Space (1960)

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.

Credo (1991)

Human judges can show mercy. But against the laws of nature, there is no appeal.

Maelstrom II (1965)

I don't believe in God but I'm very interested in her.

Multiple Intelligences in Practice : Enhancing Self-esteem and Learning in the Classroom (2006)

As our own species is in the process of proving, one cannot have superior science and inferior morals. The combination is unstable and self-destroying.

Voices from the Sky : Previews of the Coming Space Age (1967)

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The Puritan hated bear-baiting, not because it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the spectators.

Thomas Babington Macaulay History of England (1849)

The key to self-generated happiness (the only reliable kind) is the refusal to take oneself too seriously.

Tom Robbins High Times interview (2002)

It is the law of life that if you are kind to someone you feel happy. If you are cruel you are unhappy. And if you hurt someone, you will be hurt back.

Cary Grant Love – That’s All Cary Grant Ever Thinks About (1964)

Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy.

Spider Robinson

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Arthur C. Clarke (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.