The great source of both the misery and disorders of human life, seems to arise from over-rating the difference between one permanent situation and another. Avarice over-rates the difference between poverty and riches: ambition, that between a private and a public station: vain-glory, that between obscurity and extensive reputation. The person under the influence of any of those extravagant passions, is not only miserable in his actual situation, but is often disposed to disturb the peace of society, in order to arrive at that which he so foolishly admires. The slightest observation, however, might satisfy him, that, in all the ordinary situations of human life, a well-disposed mind may be equally calm, equally cheerful, and equally contented. Some of those situations may, no doubt, deserve to be preferred to others: but none of them can deserve to be pursued with that passionate ardour which drives us to violate the rules either of prudence or of justice; or to corrupt the future tranquillity of our minds, either by shame from the remembrance of our own folly, or by remorse from the horror of our own injustice. Adam Smith
About This Quote

It's not the best job that's important, it's the best job that you can do. There are lots of times when the job you have is the worst job in the world. But if you have a great attitude about it, you are going to find ways to make it work. And you are going to find ways to make yourself better at what you do.

You are going to learn new things. You are going to learn how to be a better person. You are going to learn about yourself.

The end result is that you will be happier with the job that you have, you will be happier with your life, and you will be happier with yourself.

Source: The Theory Of Moral Sentiments

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  1. Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.
  2. The great source of both the misery and disorders of human life, seems to arise from over-rating the difference between one permanent situation and another. Avarice over-rates the difference between poverty and riches: ambition, that between a private and a public station: vain-glory, that between...
  3. There is a great deal of ruin in a nation.
  4. Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.
  5. Public services are never better performed than when their reward comes only in consequence of their being performed, and is proportioned to the diligence employed in performing them.
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