Our readings in this series are from the book, Understanding the Times Here is a brief excerpt from page 56:
“The term happiness carries with it the sense of random circumstances (hap, happenstance), favorably combined in a manner agreeable to the god of self. Self imposes order on a chance-determined world and works to arrange conditions to achieve the happiness it seeks. One man’s happiness may not excite his neighbor, but with the god of happiness, it’s not the particular form that matters, but the degree to which it brings pleasure to the god of self.
“The god of happiness, therefore, exists on terms dictated by the god of self. The god of self is alone able to describe the conditions of maximum satisfaction, enjoyment, pleasure, security, and ease. And the god of self will decide what form the god of happiness shall take in order to achieve that optimal state.
“Put more simply, ‘I want what I want, and when I get what I want, I’ll be happy.’ I, me, mine; lookin’ out for number 1, getting what you want. The self directs the pursuit of happiness, and the realization of happiness satisfies the self.”
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T. M. Moore
