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The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness
David Hume
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The ultimate goal of all human efforts is to achieve happiness.

David Hume emphasizes that the primary purpose of all human activities and endeavors is to seek happiness. This suggests that regardless of the complexity of our goals or the nature of our work, the underlying motivation is the pursuit of joy and fulfillment in life.

Themes

HappinessHuman IndustryPursuitGoalFulfillment

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about achieving personal goals.

More from David Hume

Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow.
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Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
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All that belongs to human understanding, in this deep ignorance and obscurity, is to be sceptical, or at least cautious, and not to admit of any hypothesis whatever, much less of any which is supported by no appearance of probability.
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There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
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To have recourse to the veracity of the supreme Being, in order to prove the veracity of our senses, is surely making a very unexpected circuit.
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... The idea of God, as meaning an infinitely intelligent, wise and good Being, arises from reflecting on the operations of our own mind, and augmenting, without limit, those qualities of goodness and wisdom.
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Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives... and to the "good life", whatever it is and wherever it happens to be.
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Joy has come to live with me. How can I be sad? I do so love Thy presence, which is joy within me.
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Enthusiasm Rules his inner world. Determination Rules his outer world. Therefore Happiness has become His real name.
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Once you have heard a strange audience burst into laughter at a film you directed, you realize what the word joy is all about.
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Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.
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It is not selfish to be happy. It is your highest purpose. Your joy is the greatest contribution you can make to life on the planet. A heart at peace with its owner blesses everyone it touches.
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