F. L. Lucas on the sources of happiness
Vitality of mind and body; the activity to employ and maintain them; the zest and curiosity that they can animate; freedom to travel widely in nature and art, in countries of the world and countries of the mind; human affections; and the gift of gaiety—these seem to me, then, the main causes of happiness. I am surprised to find how few and simple they are.
(And for extra credit, please see Lin Yutang on the philosophy of half-and-half, which remains closest, after all these years, to my own personal idea of happiness.)
Alec Nevala-Lee 
http://doubleentryjournal.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/542/
drewberthu
September 5, 2011 at 12:34 am
“That too-hasty profit snatched from approaching loss”
P.s. love Peanuts comics. :)
Word Salad
September 5, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Drew: Thanks for the link. I was tempted to quote Lucas on Simonides, who says that happiness is health, comeliness, riches, and to be young among one’s friends. Lucas adds: “For ‘riches,’ indeed, one might prefer to substitute ‘a competence.'”
@Word Salad: Rilke is good, isn’t he?
nevalalee
September 5, 2011 at 12:08 pm