What is the good of life if its chief element, and that which must always be its chief element, is odious? No, the only true economy is to arrange so that your daily labor shall be itself a joy.
Interpretation
Life should be enjoyable and fulfilling rather than burdensome.
Edward Carpenter emphasizes the importance of finding joy in one's daily activities. He argues that if life’s fundamental aspect is unpleasant, then it loses its value. True fulfillment comes from arranging our lives in such a way that our work and daily labor bring us happiness rather than dread.
In practice
In a motivational speech about work-life balance, you might say, 'What is the good of life if its chief element is odious?' to emphasize the importance of finding joy in daily tasks.
Never retire! Do what you do and keep doing it. But don't do it on Friday. Take Friday off. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, go fishing...Then Monday to Thursday, do what you've been doing all your life. My point is: Live full and don't retreat.
It is with happiness as with watches: the less complicated, the less easily deranged.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,_x000D_ _x000D_ Just like the ones I used to know,_x000D_ _x000D_ Where the tree tops glisten_x000D_ _x000D_ And children listen_x000D_ _x000D_ To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
What if in my waking hours a sound should ring through the silent halls of hearing? ... Would the bow and string tension of life snap? Would the heart over weighted with sudden joy stop beating for very excess of happiness?
The joy of Being, which is the only true happiness, cannot come to you through any form, possession, achievement, person, or event - through anything that happens. That joy cannot come to you - ever. It emanates from the formless dimension within you, from consciousness itself and thus is one with who you are.
Peace is joy at rest. Joy is peace on its feet. quoting her pastor in Salon, April 25, 2003
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