“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

I’ve read conflicting reports online on where this quote really comes from. I see it most often attributed to Nathaniel, but it is also attributed in various places to Henry David Thoreau. I’ve also read an article that says it actually originated from J. Richard Lessor. So, for the sake of fairness, I’ve listed all three names with links to two of there works.

HawthorneThoreau