Perfect happiness, I believe, was never intended by the Deity to be the lot of one of his creatures in this world; but that he has very much put in our power the nearness of our approaches to it is what I have steadfastly believed.
Interpretation
Perfect happiness is not meant for anyone in this world, but we can strive to get close to it.
In this quote, Thomas Jefferson reflects on the nature of happiness, suggesting that absolute happiness is not something that is likely to be attained by any individual during their lifetime. Instead, he emphasizes that while we may not achieve perfect happiness, we have the ability to come closer to it through our actions and choices, highlighting the role of human agency in the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
In practice
During a speech about life satisfaction, I might quote Jefferson to emphasize the importance of striving for happiness.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
Every time we feel satisfied with what we have, we can be counted as rich, however little we may actually possess.
It's fun to have money, but the more money I get, the less interesting it becomes. If you don't have very much, you have to think about it. If you are starving, you become interested in food. If you are struggling to pay the bills, money becomes tragically important.
Pour away despair and rinse the cup. Eat happiness like bread.
You believe happiness to be derived from the place in which once you have been happy, but in truth it is centered in ourselves.
Surrounded by all the members of my dear family, enjoying the affection of numerous friends, who have never abandoned me, and possessing a sufficient share of all that contributes to make life agreeable, I lift my grateful eyes towards the Supreme Being and feel that I am happy.
Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route.
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