top of page
Burdens of Marriage
When Socrates was asked by a young man whether he should take a wife or avoid marriage altogether, Socrates replied that whichever the...
Happiness in poverty
Gyges was conceited about his kingdom of Lydia, which abounded in riches and military power, so he came to Pythian Apollo to ask whether...
Self control
None of these things, I surmise, can gain a man happiness unless that man, whose achievements are seemingly so great, should at the same...
Heavenly Minded
William Digby: Journal, July 24-October 13, 1777 …but alas! This life is a constant rotation of changes; and the man, who forms the...
Dealing with personal attacks
As to the Reports you mention that are spread to my Disadvantage, I give myself as little Concern about them as possible. I have often...
Potts and Parson’s/Prosperity and Poverty
Two of the former Members of the Junto you tell me are departed this Life, Potts and Parsons. Odd Characters, both of them. Parsons, a...
Happiness and Pain
But so it is: we tribes of woeful humans never enter upon enjoyment with a sure foot, but always alongside our happiness marches some...
Friends ensure happiness
The philosopher Epicurus said, “Of all the means which are procured by wisdom to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far...
Rich as Croesus
They say, therefore, that Solon, coming to Croesus at his request, was in the same condition as an inland man when first he goes to see the sea; for as he fancies every river he meets with to be the ocean, so Solon, as he passed through the court, and saw a great many nobles richly dressed, and proudly attended with a multitude of guards and footboys, thought every one had been the king, till he was brought to Croesus, who was decked with every possible rarity and curiosity,
True happiness
Human felicity is produc’d not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen as little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas. The money may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers and of
Scour the Anchor
Benjamin Franklin was on a detachment that travelled with the military to build a fort. He recorded his reflections in his diary:
bottom of page