Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared accurately with one another. Causes and cures for unhappiness can be quantified. – Polly Toynbee
How do you make any sense of history, art or literature without knowing the stories and iconography of your own culture and all the worlds main religions? – Polly Toynbee
There is all the difference in the world between teaching children about religion and handing them over to be taught by the religious. – Polly Toynbee
Is anyone serious about the politics of happiness? David Cameron dipped a toe in the water, using the word lightly, but denying the hard policies it implies. Labour shies away from it, but should take up the challenge. – Polly Toynbee
If the day and night be such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more immortal — that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. – Henry David Thoreau, Walden