Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads us a wild-goose chase, and is never attained. Follow some other object, and very possibly we may find that we have caught happiness without dreaming of it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hawthorne says happiness comes incidentally; chasing it fails, but pursuing other goals may bring it along.
- In plain terms
- Don't chase happiness; chase goals, and happiness may follow.
- What can you take from it?
- Happiness is a byproduct, not a target.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is happiness a goal or a side effect?
- What should we pursue to feel fulfilled?
Another view
It may ignore cases where intentional pursuit improves well-being.
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