linhsinhua
Joined: 08 Apr 2009
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: "contenment" and "satisfaction" differe |
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Dear teachers:
I read an article it is said,
" Happiness is contentment and satisfaction with a few moments of joy."
I can't tell what is the difference between "contentment" and " satisfaction".
please help me, thank you. |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:28 am Post subject: |
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| I can't tell what is the difference between "contentment" and " satisfaction". |
Contentment and satisfaction. This is a slippery one. Well, let's start at the beginning. From the Collins Cobuild English Dictionary:
Contentment is a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction.
Satisfaction is the pleasure that you feel when you do something or get something that you wanted or needed to do or get.
First of all, if you are content, you are satisfied. Period. So, to me the question becomes Can you be satisfied without being content?
I think so. In many situations, the word satisfaction implies that you are not unhappy with something. For example:
Let's say you buy a new sports car. You've dreamed of buying one for years, and finally your dream has come true. As you drive away from the dealership, the birds are singing a little more sweetly; the sun is shining a little more brightly. You feel contentment--you are filled with a quiet sense of happiness and satisfaction. Life is wonderful. 
But after a couple of days, you begin to have some trouble with your shiny new sports car. You have trouble starting it one morning. Then, as you are driving to work, the engine warning light comes on. Strange noises start coming from the engine. After work you take it to the dealership. On the way, you are not happy. The birds are silent. It begins to rain. Life isn't wonderful anymore. Your dream is shattered. 
However, the mechanic at the dealership is very efficient and courteous. He tells you not to worry. He reassures you that he'll fix your shiny new sports car, and fix it he does. Within a few minutes he has replaced the faulty part and your sports car is purring like a kitten once again. Not only that, but it's all under warranty so there is no charge for the repair.
Here's the thing: you could feel satisfied that the car was repaired quickly; you could feel satisfied with the courteous and efficient manner in which the mechanic took care of the problem. You're not unhappy with the way things turned out at the dealership. But your feeling of contentment has definitely taken a hit. The glow of happiness you had the day you got the car has been diminished. After all, it could happen again. Before life was perfect; now it is a little less so. 
Hope this makes sense.
Greg |
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