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About this quote

What does it mean?
Voltaire questions whether vague advice about contentment is meaningful without specifying its source.
In plain terms
He asks what we should actually be happy about.
What can you take from it?
Specific reasons matter more than general commands to be happy.

Where it applies

  • receiving self-help advice
  • debating happiness
  • questioning norms

Putting it to work

  • critique social platitudes
  • seek specific goals

Questions to consider

  • What are you actually content with?
  • Is happiness a goal or a state?

Another view

The quote does not offer a solution to finding contentment.

More from Voltaire

  1. Toutes les sectes des philosophes ont echoue contre l'ecueil du mal physique et moral. Il ne reste que d'avouer que Dieu ayant agi pour le mieux n'a pu agir mi…

    Permalink to quote #55
  2. Le public est une bete feroce: il faut l'enchainer ou la fuir.

    Permalink to quote #57
  3. Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde.

    Permalink to quote #54

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