Inspiration and meaningful work
Many persons have a wrong of idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
— Helen Keller (1880–1968), Helen Keller's Journal: 1936-1937 (1938), p. 57

Inspiration and meaningful work

What it means

True happiness, Keller writes, comes from faithfulness to a worthwhile purpose rather than from pleasing ourselves.

About the author

Helen Keller — American author and activist (1880–1968).

Source and verification

Source
Helen Keller's Journal: 1936-1937 (1938), p. 57
Reference
Helen Keller on Wikiquote
Checked
Wording and source taken from the sourced section of the author’s Wikiquote page, which cites the work given here (accessed 2026-10-11).
Copyright
Short quotation from a work that is still in copyright, reproduced briefly for commentary with full attribution. Rights remain with the author or their estate.

The explanation above is ToDoMatriX’s own reading of the quote, not the author’s words.