[Some of the people I'd met] were wonderful people as human beings, and some people were more difficult. I could not see a correlation between their particular genius in playing chess and music and mathematics, etc. ... with human qualities. Some were really good, wonderful people, and some were difficult characters, but there was no clear correlation. But when I met some spiritual masters, [I thought that] there had to be a correlation, and it turned out to be true.

By happiness I mean here a deep sense of flourishing that arises from an exceptionally healthy mind. This is not a mere pleasurable feeling, a fleeting emotion, or a mood, but an optimal state of being. Happiness is also a way of interpreting the world, since while it may be difficult to change the world, it is always possible to change the way we look at it.

We must distinguish between spirituality in general terms, which aims to make us better people, and religion. Adopting a religion remains optional, but becoming a better human being is essential.

It's not the magnitude of the task that matters, it's the magnitude of our courage.

Placebos are like the lollipop of optimism, but we can do much better by dealing directly with the mind... And it works!

Envy and jealousy stem from the fundamental inability to rejoice at someone else's happiness or success

To love oneself is to love life. It is essential to understand that we make ourselves happy in making others happy.