No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy.

What it means

Stevenson says happy people spread unseen benefits to everyone around them. Your mood is not only your business. Being cheerful is a gift to others.

The source

"No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy." Robert Louis Stevenson said it in An Apology for Idlers (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881). Written in English: Virginibus Puerisque, 1881.

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."

Original English (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881), An Apology for Idlers (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881). Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894). Scottish writer of Treasure Island who spent his last years in Samoa. His essays in Virginibus Puerisque (1881) defend hope, idleness and happiness.

Questions

What does "No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy." mean?

Stevenson says happy people spread unseen benefits to everyone around them. Your mood is not only your business. Being cheerful is a gift to others.

Who said "No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy."?

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894). Source: An Apology for Idlers (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881).

What is the original wording?

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy (Original English (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881)). Written in English: Virginibus Puerisque, 1881.

Is "No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"No duty is so underrated as the duty of being happy." (Robert Louis Stevenson, An Apology for Idlers (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881), trans. Original English (Virginibus Puerisque, 1881)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/no-duty-is-so-underrated-as-the-duty