I am now speaking of the phenomena of nature. I believe, as much as I believe that I live, that the reason a thing is right is because it tends to the happiness of mankind. I believe, as much as I believe that I live, that on the average the good man is not only the happier man, but that no man is happy who is not good.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Moral good is defined by its tendency to create happiness, and the good are usually the happy.
- In plain terms
- Right actions lead to happiness, and happy people are usually good.
- What can you take from it?
- Connect doing good with being happy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can you be good without being happy?
- Does happiness prove goodness?
Another view
It oversimplifies the complex reality where good people often suffer.
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