The Character of a Happy Life

Whenever we hear the word "happy life", our mind always goes to a well furnished house, an honourable job, a loving family, some friends and all the necessities of life. Although we are actually taking 'all the necessities of life' as our own personal DESIRES including the money needed to fulfill all the wants of our life and a high status in the society. But we should keep in mind that the ultimate end of a happy life is not this status or the wealth gathered all our life for a particular goal. I would like to share this poem of Henry Wotton in order to explain my point.

HOW happy is he born and taught

That serveth not another's will;

Whose armour is his honest thought

And simple truth his utmost skill;

Whose passions not his masters are;

Whose soul is still prepared for death,

Not tied unto the world with care

Of public fame, or private breath;

Who envies none that chance doth raise,

Or vice; who never understood

How deepest wounds are given by praise,

Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

Who hath his life from rumours freed,

Whose conscience is his strong retreat;

Whose state can neither flatterers feed,

Nor ruin make accusers great;

Who God doth late and early pray

More of His grace than gifts to lend;

And entertains the harmless day

With a well-chosen book or friend;

—This man is freed from servile bands

Of hope to rise, or fear to fall;

Lord of himself, though not of lands;

And having nothing, yet hath all.