The Science of Happiness (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Science of Happiness

M through repeated humiliation has lost faith in his star, and has been rendered powerless and wretched. Often he is unduly unhappy, because he has been told that he is miserable. SO many maladies have been sug gested to him that' he toss... Læs mere es in pain upon his bed, as if he were really ill.

He has been led to believe that he cannot live beyond the age Of eighty years, that he can develop only by exterminating his fellow-creatures or by laying down his life for them. He has been taught the prejudices Of race, Of religion, of riches. AS a result man dies before his time, lives in a state Of permanent warfare, hates his brother, creates around himself an atmosphere Of envy, and suffers from the wounds that are thus in¿icted.

Man is so accustomed to hearing his misfortunes discussed that it is very difficult for him to listen to those who speak to him Of his happiness. His philosophy is mournful, as well as his morality, his poetry, his literature, and especially his history. He has been painted in such gloomy hues that he believes the brighter portraits to be inferior in their essence. He does not seem to understand that it is much easier to colour things black, just as it is easier to do evil than to do good.

But man is full Of contradictions. He desires long life and he yearns for happiness; yet in reality he lives only a small portion Of his existence and patiently sustains himself upon woes which he cre ates Of his own free will or permits others to impose.

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