Single Idea 7917

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

Full Idea

To realise how much misery we have to face is in itself a kind of happiness.

Gist of Idea

Realising our future misery is a kind of happiness

Source

La Rochefoucauld (Maxims [1663], 570)

Book Reference

Rochefoucauld,La: 'Maxims' [Penguin 1959], p.110


A Reaction

Probably true. Knowing that you have got hold of the truth is a sort of happiness in any area, no matter how grim the truth. However, a happy life could easily be poisoned by brooding on the future. Should the happily married brood on future solitude?