You cannot conspire for happiness
You cannot conspire for happiness; it is impossible. But this is often what people try to do, especially when they seek out self-help and other personal development advice-they are essentially saying, "Show me the rules of the game I have to play, and I'll play it," not realizing that it's the very fact that they think there are rules to happiness that is preventing them from being happy.
— from Who Is Flying (Self, Nature & Nurture)