Happiness and What Is Good

"And now, O son of Axiochus, let me put a question to you: Do not all men desire happiness? And yet, perhaps, this is one of those ridiculous questions which I am afraid to ask, and which ought not to be asked by a sensible man: for what human being is there who does not desire happiness?" (Socrates to Clinias, son of Axiochus)

First, I am glad to report the storm is over. The last day and a half passed in the quiet lumbering drift of a weakening storm. Watching the rainfall, I was reminded of that kind of snowfall that silently drifts in heavy flakes, nearly obscuring a longer view. It fell with little sound, almost like a mist--only it wouldn't stop. (Someone posted on Facebook, "I refuse to mark myself safe from mist").

Just as there were no deep drifts to plow through, so the fallen water had just enough time to pass over the ground, finding its lowest point in the stream some hundred yards or more down the hill. No flooding in our neighborhood. We were not as heavily impacted by the storm as those just a few miles North had experienced. Just glad it's over. 

Now to the quote-at-hand. I was tempted to write on barriers to happiness (such as displays of juvenile rudeness that occur with intense disrespect at a dinner table) but felt that a rant would be equally juvenile and would accomplish nothing. As someone said (in so many words) that the best revenge was to be unlike the offender . . . 

Yes, all men desire happiness but is it possible for one to be happy by disrespecting and destroying the happiness of another? How is one happy by disrupting the tranquility? One moment one is content then it is stolen from him. How, is there happiness for the offender who has only revealed himself or herself to be wicked, undesireable, rude? Should one remove himself from the offending party, it's not possible that the offender remain happy, and so tranquility is restored to a man once again. 

The truth of the matter is settled in that true happiness is found in good things, in beautiful things. Is wealth good? Well, can a poor man be happy? And if wealth was good, why are so many rich unhappy? No, happiness is found in good things like justice, benevolence, wisdom, temperance. Contributing something--anything--to fellow man, encouragement, building up--these things are good and lead to happiness.