"The principle we call self-love never seeks anything external for the sake of the thing, but only as a means of happiness or good: particular affections rest in the external things themselves."
― Joseph Butler
Topic(s): Happiness
More From Joseph Butler
- "The sum of the whole is plainly this: The nature of man considered in his single capacity, and with respect only to the present world, is adapted and leads him to attain the greatest happiness he can for himself in the present world."
- "Happiness or satisfaction consists only in the enjoyment of those objects which are by nature suited to our several particular appetites, passions, and affections."
- "Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects."
More In Happiness
- "Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved."― George Sand
- "Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness."― Richard Bach
- "If thou be industrious to procure wealth, be generous in the disposal of it. Man never is so happy as when he giveth happiness unto another."― Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton