知足常乐

Pronunciation: zhī zú cháng lè Literal meaning: Know enough constant happiness

Origin & Usage

The Daodejing supplies the thought in several places: there is no calamity greater than not knowing when one has enough, and the contentment that knows enough (知足) is enough for good (常乐). The claim is stronger than an argument for modest living — it is that sufficiency is a judgement rather than a quantity, so no amount of acquisition reaches it and a decision does. Chinese uses the phrase sincerely and also, quite often, as the thing said to someone who has just been passed over for something.

Examples

English: "Despite modest circumstances, the family found contentment in simple pleasures and each other's company"

Chinese: 尽管条件简朴，这家人从简单的乐趣和彼此的陪伴中找到了满足