Every pitifulest whipster that walks within a skin has had his head filled with the notion that he is, shall be, or by all human and divine laws ought to be, 'happy.' His wishes, the pitifulest whipster's, are to be fulfilled for him; his days, the pitifulest whipster's, are to flow on in an ever-gentle current of enjoyment, impossible even for the gods. The prophets preach to us, Thou shalt be happy; thou shalt love pleasant things, and find them. The people clamor, Why have we not found pleasant things? ...God's Laws are become a Greatest Happiness Principle. There is no religion; there is no God; man has lost his soul.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The modern obsession with guaranteed happiness leads to loss of soul and God.
- In plain terms
- Demanding constant happiness makes people lose their souls and faith.
- What can you take from it?
- Seeking constant happiness can lead to spiritual emptiness.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is happiness a worthy goal?
- How do we balance joy and meaning?
Another view
Striving for happiness is not inherently negative or spiritual.
More from Thomas Carlyle
All work, even cotton spinning, is noble; work is alone noble...A life of ease is not for any man, nor for any god.
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