It's good to be just plain happy; it's a little better to know that you're happy; but to understand that you're happy and to know why and how… and still be happy, be happy in the being and the knowing, well that is beyond happiness, that is bliss, and if you have any sense you ought to kill yourself on the spot and be done with it.

About Henry Miller

Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 – June 7, 1980) was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist. He broke with existing literary forms and developed a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blends character study, social criticism, philosophical reflection, stream of consciousness, explicit language, sex, surrealist free association,...

More quotations from Henry Miller

Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack.

—Henry Miller

body

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music—the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

—Henry Miller

beauty

The waking mind is the least serviceable in the arts.

—Henry Miller

The imperfections of a man, his frailties, his faults, are just as important as his virtues. You can't separate them. They're wedded.

—Henry Miller

You can travel fifty thousand miles in America without once tasting a piece of good bread.

—Henry Miller

History

24 Oct 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

It's good to be just plain happy; it's a little better to know that you're happy; but to understand that you're happy and to know why and how . . . and still be happy, be happy in the being and the knowing, well that is beyond happiness, that is bliss, and if you have any sense you ought to kill yourself on the spot and be done with it.