korrents
John Stuart Mill

What John Stuart Mill thinks about happiness

@john-stuart-mill · 13 positions · 0 changes of mind

Philosopher (1806 to 1873), a utilitarian and liberal; worked for the East India Company for almost thirty-five years; elected Member of Parliament for Westminster in 1865.

Everything they publish, on ppll ↗

John Stuart Mill did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

6 dated positions, c. 1861 to c. 1873, in their own words. Our reading of what John Stuart Mill has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingHappiness is the test of conduct and the end of life, but it can only be reached by not making it the direct aim

    Their wordsI never, indeed, wavered in the conviction that happiness is the test of all rules of conduct, and the end of life. But I now thought that this end was only to be attained by not making it the direct end.

    ↗Autobiography (1873)gutenberg.org All 2 from this book

  3. Our readingAsking yourself whether you are happy stops you being so; the only chance is to aim at some end outside happiness

    Their wordsAsk yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so. The only chance is to treat, not happiness, but some end external to it, as the purpose of life.

    ↗Autobiography (1873)gutenberg.org All 2 from this book

  5. Our readingIt is better to be a dissatisfied human than a satisfied pig, and a dissatisfied Socrates than a satisfied fool

    Their wordsIt is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.

    ↗Utilitarianism (1861; 7th edition, 1879)gutenberg.org All 4 from this book

  7. Our readingThe main ingredients of a satisfied life appear to be tranquillity and excitement, either of which is often enough alone

    Their wordsThe main constituents of a satisfied life appear to be two, either of which by itself is often found sufficient for the purpose: tranquillity, and excitement.

    ↗Utilitarianism (1861; 7th edition, 1879)gutenberg.org All 4 from this book

  9. Our readingWhen fortunate people find too little enjoyment in life, the cause is generally that they care for nobody but themselves

    Their wordsWhen people who are tolerably fortunate in their outward lot do not find in life sufficient enjoyment to make it valuable to them, the cause generally is, caring for nobody but themselves.

    ↗Utilitarianism (1861; 7th edition, 1879)gutenberg.org All 4 from this book

  11. Our readingAfter selfishness, the main thing that makes a life unsatisfying is a mind left uncultivated

    Their wordsNext to selfishness, the principal cause which makes life unsatisfactory, is want of mental cultivation.

    ↗Utilitarianism (1861; 7th edition, 1879)gutenberg.org All 4 from this book