--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And if happiness were common, it would…" description: "\"“And if happiness were common, it would preserve itself, because appeals to hatred and fear, which now constitute almost the whole of politics would fa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31d/bertrand-russell-69_fear_and-if-happiness-were-common-it-would-pr_2904477.jpg" --- # And if happiness were common, it would preserve itself… ![“And if happiness were common, it would preserve itself, because appeals to hatred and fear, which now constitute almost the whole of politics would fall flat.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31d/bertrand-russell-69_fear_and-if-happiness-were-common-it-would-pr_2904477.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31d/bertrand-russell-69_fear_and-if-happiness-were-common-it-would-pr_2904477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31d/bertrand-russell-69_fear_and-if-happiness-were-common-it-would-pr_2904477.jpg) > ““And if happiness were common, it would preserve itself, because appeals to hatred and fear, which now constitute almost the whole of politics would fall flat.”” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If happiness were widespread, it would undermine the political use of hatred and fear that dominate current politics. **In simple terms:** Widespread happiness would weaken manipulative politics. Key Takeaway Promote societal well‑being. Themes politics human nature ethics Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - education - media - community building Key Concepts philosophy social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What role does fear play in modern politics? - Can happiness be a political tool? A Different Perspective Achieving universal happiness is unrealistic; power structures resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [Somebody start talking about politics so I can fall back asleep...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-underwood/somebody-start-talking-about-politics-so-i-can-fall-back-asleep/) [Sara Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-underwood/) > [It's been fascinating over the last few years, watching the high and mighty in business and politics fall precipitously-not because their plans didn't work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/it-s-been-fascinating-over-the-last-few-years-watching-the-high-and/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [It was Hurricane Sandy that not only decimated parts of my district but pushed me to the brink of my frustrations with the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-runyan/it-was-hurricane-sandy-that-not-only-decimated-parts-of-my-district/) [Jon Runyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-runyan/) > [Hatred and fear blind us. 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