Everyone deserves to be happy in their own way. But is happiness really the purpose of life? It's a matter of personal belief or choice, as one person’s idea of happiness might simply be another’s state of contentment.
In Stoic philosophy, for example, happiness is seen as a natural outcome of living a virtuous life guided by wisdom and reason. It’s not something to be pursued actively, like a career goal, but rather as a consequence of aligning our thoughts and actions with virtue.
While some schools of thought argue that seeking joy, fulfilment and well-being is a worthy—and ultimately happy—pursuit, others believe that happiness comes from the practice of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. There are also those who view happiness as a result of achieving enlightenment, peace or liberation.
Stoic philosophers and other thinkers, from ancient to contemporary times, explore the universal nature of happiness—whether through accepting life’s imperfections, finding joy in the present moment, or anything else that contributes to our well-being—the wholeness of life, as it were.
Why do we go looking for happiness when it’s within us?
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Why are we agitated by our perception of a thing rather than the thing itself?
“Man is disturbed not by things, but by the views he takes of them.”
— Epictetus, Enchiridion or Handbook of Epictetus
Why can’t we be happy by living in harmony with nature?
“Happiness is the ultimate good that is achieved by living in accordance with nature.”
— Zeno of Citium, founder of the Stoic school of philosophy
Why can’t we accept that not everything is within our hands?
“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”
— Epictetus, Discourses
Why can't we control how we think, instead of being controlled by our circumstances?
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Why is it so difficult for us to be content with what we already have?
“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.”
— Seneca, Letters to Lucilius
Why is it so hard to accept that some things aren't as we want them to be?
“Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want. Welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.”
— Epictetus, Enchiridion or Handbook of Epictetus
Why can't we let only merit or virtue determine our peace of mind?
“A cheerful and tranquil mind is not to be marred either by honours or by shame, but a mind fixed on virtue alone.”
— Seneca, Letters to Lucilius
Why is our happiness shaped by the way we think?
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Why don’t we prove our strength by facing challenges head-on?
“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skilful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.”
— Epictetus, Discourses
Why can’t we be just as grateful for what we don’t have as for what we do?
“Take full account of what excellences you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them if you had them not.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Why don’t we measure wealth by needing less instead of having more?
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
— Epictetus, Enchiridion or Handbook of Epictetus
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