--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For over two thousand years it has been…" description: "\"For over two thousand years it has been the custom among earnest moralists to decry happiness as something degraded and unworthy\" — Bertrand Russell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/bertrand-russell-69_earnest_for-over-two-thousand-years-it-has-been_261678.jpg" --- # For over two thousand years it has been the custom among… ![“For over two thousand years it has been the custom among earnest moralists to decry happiness as something degraded and unworthy” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/bertrand-russell-69_earnest_for-over-two-thousand-years-it-has-been_261678.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/bertrand-russell-69_earnest_for-over-two-thousand-years-it-has-been_261678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/bertrand-russell-69_earnest_for-over-two-thousand-years-it-has-been_261678.jpg) > “For over two thousand years it has been the custom among earnest moralists to decry happiness as something degraded and unworthy” [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. Moralists historically criticize happiness as inferior, reflecting a cultural bias that undervalues joy. **In simple terms:** Moralists often devalue happiness. Key Takeaway Question societal views on happiness. Themes philosophy ethics culture Mood critical reflective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal reflection - ethical debate - cultural analysis Key Concepts happiness moral criticism social norms Questions to Reflect On - Why do some view happiness as unworthy? - How does this bias affect personal fulfillment? A Different Perspective Some argue happiness is essential for well‑being, countering the deprecation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Moralist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moralist/) [Moralists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moralists/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot be convinced that great artists are moralists. 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