All who are not lunatics are agreed about certain things…
““All who are not lunatics are agreed about certain things. That it is better to be alive than dead, better to be adequately fed than starved, better to be free than a slave. Many people desire those things only for themselves and their friends; they are quite content that their enemies should suffer. These people can be refuted by science: mankind has become so much one family that we cannot insure our own prosperity except by insuring that of everyone else. If you wish to be happy yourself, you must resign yourself to seeing others also happy.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human well‑being depends on collective happiness; personal joy requires others’ welfare.
In simple terms: Being happy needs others to be happy.
Key Takeaway
Help others to help yourself.
Themes
ethics
humanism
collectivism
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- community projects
- volunteering
- policy advocacy
- friendship support
Key Concepts
interdependence
altruism
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance personal goals with others’ needs?
- What actions make others’ happiness tangible?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest can conflict with altruism.