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Happiness Quote by Huston Smith

“The scientific gauge is quantity: space, size, and strength of forces can all be reckoned numerically. The comparable "yardstick" in the traditional hierarchy was quality. It had, over the millennia, two distinct readings that overlapped. To the popular mind it meant essentially euphoria: better…” quote by Huston Smith
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““The scientific gauge is quantity: space, size, and strength of forces can all be reckoned numerically. The comparable "yardstick" in the traditional hierarchy was quality. It had, over the millennia, two distinct readings that overlapped. To the popular mind it meant essentially euphoria: better meant happier, worse less happy. Reflective minds, on the other hand, considered happiness to be only an aspect of quality, not its defining feature. The word "significance" points us in the direction of the feature they considered fundamental, but significance too was derivative. It was taken for granted that the higher worlds abounded in meaning, significance, and importance, but this was because they were saturated with Being and were therefore more real. *Sat*, *Chit*, *Ananda*: Being, Awareness, and Bliss. All three pertained, but Being, being basic, came first. In the last analysis, the scale in the traditional hierarchy was ontological." —from_The Forgotten Truth_””

Huston Smith

About This Quote

Source Book: The Forgotten Truth, author unknown, date unknown

The quote contrasts quantitative measurement of reality with traditional qualitative assessments, arguing that true significance lies in ontological being rather than mere happiness or importance.

In simple terms: Quality vs quantity debate, emphasizing being as fundamental.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize ontological depth over superficial metrics.

Themes

philosophy ontology measurement quality significance

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • academic discourse
  • personal reflection
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

metaphysics epistemology existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you measure true significance?
  • What does “being” mean to you?
A Different Perspective

Quantitative focus can neglect subjective experience.

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