Who said “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person…”?

Disputed

It's credited to Hugh Downs, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Hugh Downs.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Authors A–Z
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.”
— Hugh Downs
DisputedNo reliable early source found for Hugh Downs. · evidenceHappiness

Cite this quote

APA

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” [Quotation attributed to Hugh Downs]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20956-a-happy-person-is-not-a-person-in/

MLA

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” Attributed to Hugh Downs. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20956-a-happy-person-is-not-a-person-in/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” Attributed to Hugh Downs. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20956-a-happy-person-is-not-a-person-in/.

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