a contented mind is a perpetual feast

English

Alternative forms

• a contented mind is a continual feast

Etymology

From a quiet heart is a continual feast, the translation of Proverbs 15, 15 in the Miles Coverdale Bible from 1535:

All the dayes of the poore are miserable, but a quyete herte is as a cotynuall feast.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːst

Proverb

a contented mind is a perpetual feast

1. Contentment is more a matter of attitude than circumstances.
   • 1826, The House Book, or Family Chronicle of Useful Knowledge, and Cottage Physician: Combining Medicine, Cookery, Diet, General Economy, Health, Sea-bathing, Gardening, Manufactures, Arts, etc., ... Including Upwards of a Thousand Select Recipes and Prescriptions:

     It has been observed that "a contented mind is a perpetual feast", and has been remarked, that persons of destitute of ambition and avarice, are peculiarly likely to enjoy long life.

   • 1846, Harry Hieover, Stable Talk and Table Talk: Or, Spectacles for Young Sportsmen, page 131:

     If they are content with this sort of locomotion, happy are they — "a contented mind is a perpetual feast."

   • 1866, E.O. Haven, THE PILLARS OF TRUTH: A Series of SERMONS ON THE DECALOGUE, pages 233–234:

     True enjoyment is entirely independent of outward circumstances. It depends upon the proper and harmonious development and action of the mind, and upon a conscious harmony with the will of God ; and those who perhaps seek enjoyment least have it most abundantly. "A contented mind is a perpetual feast."

   • 2012, Giovanni Boniolo, The Art of Deliberating, →ISBN:

     Of course, a contented mind is a perpetual feast, and many argue that it is better to live with a bad situation than move to an even worse one.

   • 2016, Qingzhou Xu, Materials Engineering and Environmental Science, →ISBN:

     In addition, it includes ecological-friendly concept of consumption which values thrift and moderate development such as “a contented mind is a perpetual feast” and “restraint of desire”.

Translations

contentment derives from attitude more than circumstances

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 知足常樂／知足常乐 (zh) (zhīzúchánglè)

• Finnish: hyvä mieli on kuin alituiset pidot
• Italian: chi si accontenta gode
• Japanese: 足るを知るものは宝 (taru wo shiru mono wa takara)