The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.

The saying asserts that inner attitude—temperament, habits of thought, and emotional posture—shapes lived experience more than external conditions do. It echoes a long moral-philosophical tradition (often associated with Stoic and Christian ethical writing) that treats happiness as primarily a matter of self-governance rather than fortune. As a piece of practical wisdom, it encourages resilience: circumstances fluctuate, but one can cultivate steadiness, gratitude, and perspective. At the same time, the claim can be read as aspirational rather than absolute, since severe material conditions can constrain well-being; its force lies in emphasizing the agency people retain over their responses.