NationStates Jolt Archive

This has been really bugging me! Someone mentioned a quote to me a while ago and for the life of me I can't remember who said it originally.

"Man's first responsibility is to be happy"

I've tried google and the usual web links, but still I find no speaker/writer.

It sounds like a philosophical quotation and possibly even Eastern philosophy, but does anyone know who said that (or even something very similar as that might be slightly askew)?
Cheers. :fluffle:

I have no idea who said it, but it's a damn good quote.....I totally said it.

I'm probably way off base here, but it sounds like it might be Aristotle with his Eudemonia (sp) philosophy. Basically, "Be happy, but happy comes out of doing good works, and being fulfilled through your actions" or something like that. We didn't spend much time on that in philosophy class though...

tried wikiquote?

Ya, that was me.
>.>
<.<

Sounds very Utilitarian. Possibly Bentham?

Found it! The Dalai Lama said it, apparently.

40 Whether we are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, whatever our nationality, color, social status, or ideology may be, the purpose of our lives is to be happy.

Found it here:

http://www.direktportalen.com/dynaweb/tibetcharity/index.asp?page=1523%C7%03ld=1520

Thank you! :D

:fluffle: :fluffle: