Single Idea 7538

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / d. Routes to happiness]

Full Idea

The happiest man is one who can link the end of his life with its beginning.

Gist of Idea

The happiest people link the beginning and end of life

Source

Wolfgang von Goethe (Maxims and Reflections [1825], 140)

Book Reference

Goethe,J. Wolfgang: 'Maxims and Reflections' [Penguin 1840], p.16


A Reaction

[from 'Art and Antiquity']. A nice thought, which chimes in with the idea that a good life is like a complete story or a work of art (Idea 7501), or that it is 'eudaimon'.

Related Idea

Idea 7501 Why couldn't a person's life become a work of art? [Foucault]