by J.C. Ryle

"Happiness" 1878

True happiness does not consist in laughter and smiles. The face is very often a poor index of the heart. There are thousands who laugh loud and are merry in company–but are wretched and miserable in private! On the other hand, there are hundreds who are grave and serious in their demeanor–whose hearts are full of solid peace. Smiles are worth but little: "A man may smile and smile–and be a villain!"

The eternal Word of God teaches us that "even in laughter, the heart may be sorrowful." (Proverbs 14:13.) Tell me not merely of smiling and laughing faces! I want to hear of something more than that, when I ask whether a man is happy. A truly happy man no doubt will often show his happiness in his countenance; but a man may have a very merry face–and yet not be happy at all!