HAPPINESS
The end of man
is happiness. This is an axiom that cannot be disputed. If anyone cares to
dispute it, he has to name some other end to man's activities. He will find
none.
We may be
mistaken as to where happiness lies. But the idea that greater happiness or
lesser unhappiness is obtainable by a particular action is and must be
connected with all human action.
Sometimes, it
seems that such and such a man shows nobility because he has sacrificed all
his chances of happiness for the good of someone he loves. But, accurately
speaking, what we mean is that he would have found a greater misery had he
allowed himself to fail in his duty. Or, as all Christians of good name do,
they sacrifice immediate happiness for a distant and greater
happiness.
(updated 08-23-02)
|