Quote by Robert A. Heinlein

Happiness lies in being privileged to work hard for long hours in doing whatever you think is worth doing. One man may find happiness in supporting a wife and children. Another may find it in robbing banks. Still another may labor mightily for years in pursuing pure research with no discernible result. Note the individual and subjective nature of each case. No two are alike and there is no reason to expect them to be. Each man or woman must find for himself or herself that occupation in which hard work and long hours make him or her happy. Contrariwise, if you are looking for shorter hours and longer vacations and early retirement, you are in the wrong job. Perhaps you need to take up bank robbing. Or geeking in a sideshow. Or even politics.

Summary

This quote highlights the subjective nature of happiness and the importance of finding personally fulfilling work. It suggests that happiness is not necessarily found in the outcome or societal recognition of one's efforts, but rather in the satisfaction and sense of purpose derived from engaging in work that one finds meaningful. It emphasizes that each individual has unique desires and preferences, and therefore, what brings happiness to one person may not work for another. The quote playfully suggests that pursuing unconventional paths or exploring different occupations may be necessary to find the right fit and achieve personal happiness.