It appeared to me obvious that the happiness of mankind should be the aim of all action, and I discovered to my surprise that there were those who thought otherwise.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that the ultimate goal of all human actions should be the pursuit of happiness, highlighting a surprising divergence in viewpoints.
Bertrand Russell emphasizes that the fundamental aim of all human action should be the happiness of mankind. He expresses his astonishment at discovering that not everyone shares this belief, suggesting a discord in values regarding what should motivate our actions and aspirations. This perspective invites reflection on the ethical considerations surrounding our choices and the importance of prioritizing collective well-being.
In practice
In a speech advocating for social reform, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of prioritizing human happiness in policy-making.
St. Paul introduced an entirely novel view of marriage, that it existed primarily to prevent the sin of fornication. It is just as if one were to maintain that the sole reason for baking bread is to prevent people from stealing cake.
Freedom comes only to those who no longer ask of life that it shall yield them any of those personal goods that are subject to the mutations of time.
Of these austerer virtues the love of truth is the chief, and in mathematics, more than elsewhere, the love of truth may find encouragement for waning faith. Every great study is not only an end in itself, but also a means of creating and sustaining a lofty habit of mind; and this purpose should be kept always in view throughout the teaching and learning of mathematics.
At all times, except when a monarch could enforce his will, war has been facilitated by the fact that vigorous males, confident of victory, enjoyed it, while their females admired them for their prowess.
Moreover, the attitude that one ought to believe such and such a proposition, independently of the question whether there is evidence in its favor, is an attitude which produces hostility to evidence and causes us to close our minds to every fact that does not suit our prejudices.
Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery.
But she knew this,βthat it was necessary for her happiness that she should devote herself to some one. All the elegancies and outward charms of life were delightful, if only they could be used as the means to some end. As an end themselves they were nothing.
Joy is the true gift of Christmas, and we can communicate this joy simply: with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, forgiveness. And the joy we give will certainly come back to us.
You get to a certain age where you prepare yourself for happiness. Sometimes you never remember to actually get happy.
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
The happiness of the drop is to die in the river.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.