^{Not sure where to post this, just looking for people's perceptives.}

According to the Declaration of Independence, each of us is "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable ritghts, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Since TJ wrote this words, the question of what is happiness and what is required to attain it has been discussed in philosophy clases and bars, in classrooms and US Supreme Court. Does happiness come from pleasure? The fulfilment of every desire, From love? From meaning? Is it an end itself or the consequence of fulfilling some other love?

In your own perceptive, What is happiness and how does one attain it?

Ruby_Pearl:

^{Not sure where to post this, just looking for people's perceptives.}

According to the Declaration of Independence, each of us is "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable ritghts, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Since TJ wrote this words, the question of what is happiness and what is required to attain it has been discussed in philosophy clases and bars, in classrooms and US Supreme Court. Does happiness come from pleasure? The fulfilment of every desire, From love? From meaning? Is it an end itself or the consequence of fulfilling some other love?

In your own perceptive, What is happiness and how does one attain it?

Well first TJ only stated that people shouldn't be denied "the pursuit of happiness" not that you shouldn't be denied "happiness".

True happiness to me is something that is permanent and to me cannot be found at the state humans are now. So it is something that cannot be found here on earth.

I think many people confuse pleasure/desires/etc with happiness. Those types of things change like the wind but True Happiness is eternal.

True happiness comes from contentment.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain".

@Topic
Good question.

I once had someone ask me same question but phrased differently, he said "would you rather be a sad Socrates or a happy fool", so is it to say that "bliss is ignorance or ignorance is bliss".

I have seen men and women who believe that intellectual rigor would lead to true happiness, but the more they know the sadder they are, others think love would lead to happiness, but they soon find out that the most beautiful of roses has its own thorns.

Another one said the directions to the house of happiness could be bought with money, only he doesn’t know how much it would cost. Ohh I know said another, I saw the man named happiness in the house of power, unfortunately for him he was given the thrown, he looked in all the rooms in the grand palace and happiness was no where to be found.

The smartest of them said it’s an endless race, what’s him name again.

Ohh yea Solomon said all is vanity.

But I say live for something, if only it keeps evil thoughts away from you, as they say "what man/woman is a man/woman who doesn't make the world better. I guess that’s what TJ meant. They say vision is the art of seeing the invincible. TJ thinks men/women have the right to pursue what they might never attain.

Like Saint Francesco of Assisi placed it and I write:

Even if a man gives a shining example of the holy life to everyone perfect joy does not lie in this.

If a man makes the cripple walk, the blind see perfect joy does not lie in this.

If a man speak in angels tongues, convert all unbelievers, if he understands the courses of the stars and the virtue of herbs, if he knows the treasures of the earth and the properties of birds and fishes and all other animals, and can even grasp the nature of tress and stones, of roots and waters, note it well and carefully write it down, perfect joy does not lie in this.

But when the world persecutes you wrongly, and lay false blames on you and you bear it amicably without murmuring, this is where perfect joy lies.

That poses another question then. Did our Lord Jesus Christ live a happy life? Am sure many would want there name to reign like his, but would they choose his definition of happiness as interpreted in his actions and confirmed by Saint Francesco?

Am sure most won’t agree with that.

Look my dear; you raised a mind bugging question.

Happy are those who are conscious of their spiritual life. my relationship with God is the first thing that make me happy. Everything else comes and goes. God never disappoints!!!

slimfine:

Happy are those who are conscious of their spiritual life. my relationship with God is the first thing that make me happy. Everything else comes and goes. God never disappoints!!!

so true. happiness is ALWAYS knowing jesus.

God bless you

@jjyou

Thank you