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.
My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
The thing is, my appearance – that’s never been my moneymaker. I’m fine being small. I’m fine being all the things I am. And I’m happy I’m not supposed to be on the 50 Most Beautiful list all the time, because that would be super f**king stressful.
Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.
Happiness presents itself to man, wearing the crown of sorrow on its head. He who welcomes it must also welcome sorrow.
The happiness consists in realizing that it is all a great strange dream.
We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to get up, to be healthy, to have enough to eat. ... There's opportunity upon opportunity to be grateful; that's what life is.
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