Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations. 1989.
NUMBER:
923
AUTHOR:
Fulton John Sheen (1895–1979)
QUOTATION:
Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary mortal is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses; happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God.
ATTRIBUTION:
Bishop FULTON J. SHEEN, Fulton J. Sheen’s Guide to Contentment, p. 120 (1967).
