Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Happiness

Happiness is the test of all rules of conduct and the end of life. But... this end was only to be attained by not making it the direct end. Those only are happy, I thought, who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.

John Stuart Mill, in 'Autobiography'