Who said “Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love,…”?

Misattributed

Not Joseph Addison. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Joseph Addison; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
— Joseph Addison
MisattributedListed as misattributed to Joseph Addison; no source in their known works. · evidenceHappiness

Cite this quote

APA

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” [Quotation attributed to Joseph Addison]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20710-three-grand-essentials-to-happiness-in-this-life/

MLA

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” Attributed to Joseph Addison. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20710-three-grand-essentials-to-happiness-in-this-life/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” Attributed to Joseph Addison. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20710-three-grand-essentials-to-happiness-in-this-life/.

Related quotes

More quotes by Joseph Addison

“Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm.”
VerifiedLine 287, the word "passed" was here originally spelt "past" but modern renditions have updated the spelling for clarity. An alteration of these lines occurs in Alexander Pope's satire The Dunciad, Book III, line 264, where he describes a contemporary theatre manager as an "Angel of Dulness" · evidenceDetails & citeEditing and Editors
All 84 Joseph Addison quotes →