“If we only wanted to be happy it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.” — Montesquieu
I meditate on this frequently, especially in our industry where it seems everyone’s chasing the apparent validation that comes from making millions selling some some money-losing POS to a greater fool.
How about another French quote, this time from the Marquis de Sade, who once opined that “The greatest pleasures arise from overcome repugnances.” Say, maybe they can use that for marketing CC?
The function of this world is to sell things to each other we don’t really need, except basic foods etc.
We have so much which keeps us busy during the day that have nothing to do with happiness.
Happiness is a totally separate thing. We never find it in those things we acquire and keep us busy.
Happiness is not being attached to the fleeting and momentarily happiness that comes from those things.
Happiness is a life style of its own.