Who said “It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.”?

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James Mackintosh. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceMemoirs of the Life of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh Vol. I (1835), edited by his son Robert James Mackintosh. London: Edward Moxon, p. 482.

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“It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.”
VerifiedMemoirs of the Life of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh Vol. I (1835), edited by his son Robert James Mackintosh. London: Edward Moxon, p. 482. · evidenceContentment
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Memoirs of the Life of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh Vol. I (1835), edited by his son Robert James Mackintosh. London: Edward Moxon, p. 482..

APA

Mackintosh, J. (n.d.). It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4769-it-is-right-to-be-contented-with-what/

MLA

Mackintosh, James. “It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4769-it-is-right-to-be-contented-with-what/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Mackintosh, James. “It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4769-it-is-right-to-be-contented-with-what/.