--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our own happiness ought not to be our…" description: "\"Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in life.\" — John Lubbock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png" --- # Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in… ![“Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in life.” quote by John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png) > “Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in life.” [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement argues that personal happiness should not dominate one's life purpose; other values matter more. **In simple terms:** Happiness shouldn't be life's sole goal. Key Takeaway Prioritize broader values over personal joy. Themes philosophy ethics purpose well‑being Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - career planning - volunteer work - spiritual practice Key Concepts existentialism moral philosophy life meaning Questions to Reflect On - What should be life's primary purpose? - How can we balance happiness with other goals? A Different Perspective May neglect the importance of personal fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-ought-1539550/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-happiness/) [Main Objective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/main-objective-979743/) [Objective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objective/) [Objective Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objective-life-1866600/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) ## Related quotes > [My main objective is always the belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyoto-machida/my-main-objective-is-always-the-belt/) [Lyoto Machida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyoto-machida/) > [To sum it all up, the objective of my life has been to give work a moral and economic dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brunello-cucinelli/to-sum-it-all-up-the-objective-of-my-life-has-been-to-give-work-a/) [Brunello Cucinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brunello-cucinelli/) > [Of course, the Premier League is the main objective for everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ander-herrera/of-course-the-premier-league-is-the-main-objective-for-everyone/) [Ander Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ander-herrera/) > [Life's objective is life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/life-s-objective-is-life-itself/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I just want to entertain; that is my main objective and what comes before everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pewdiepie/i-just-want-to-entertain-that-is-my-main-objective-and-what-comes/) [PewDiePie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pewdiepie/) > [My main objective is to be professional but to kill him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/my-main-objective-is-to-be-professional-but-to-kill-him/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [The main objective for me personally is to create something where kids can come and take advantage of all the good things that football…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-dier/the-main-objective-for-me-personally-is-to-create-something-where/) [Eric Dier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-dier/) > [I've learned through my own experiences that working toward an objective in your life can change who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuichiro-miura/i-ve-learned-through-my-own-experiences-that-working-toward-an/) [Yuichiro Miura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuichiro-miura/) > [I always said, you have to have a goal and an objective in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-c-driskell/i-always-said-you-have-to-have-a-goal-and-an-objective-in-life/) [David C. Driskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-c-driskell/) > [We don't care about going 2-0, 3-0, or 4-0. Our first main objective is to go 1-0. That's the only thing we care about.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takeo-spikes/we-don-t-care-about-going-2-0-3-0-or-4-0-our-first-main-objective-is/) [Takeo Spikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takeo-spikes/) > [People or philosophers keep saying that our fundamental objective in life is to be happy! This is wrong! Our fundamental objective in life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/people-or-philosophers-keep-saying-that-our-fundamental-objective-in/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [The main objective - our soul is our people. And our job is to enrich their lives, change the world. And so I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-ahrendts/the-main-objective-our-soul-is-our-people-and-our-job-is-to-enrich/) [Angela Ahrendts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-ahrendts/) > [Survival is the main objective. There are going to be some awful days, I know that from my background in the sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-millar/survival-is-the-main-objective-there-are-going-to-be-some-awful-days/) [David Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-millar/) > [What is the purpose of life? What is the primary objective of life? To live. To sustain itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/what-is-the-purpose-of-life-what-is-the-primary-objective-of-life-to/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [My main objective is trying to get to the Finals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-wood/my-main-objective-is-trying-to-get-to-the-finals/) [Christian Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-wood/) ## More by John Lubbock > [Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-of-the-greatest-men-have-owed-their-success-to-industry-rather/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Savages have often been likened to children, and the comparison is not only correct but also highly instructive. Many naturalists consider that the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/savages-have-often-been-likened-to-children-and-the-comparison-is-not/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [There can be no merit in believing something which you can neither explain nor understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/there-can-be-no-merit-in-believing-something-which-you-can-neither/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many savage nations worship trees, and I really think my first feeling would be one of delight and interest rather than of surprise, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-savage-nations-worship-trees-and-i-really-think-my-first-feeling/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many a blessing has been recognized too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-a-blessing-has-been-recognized-too-late/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Art trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/art-trains-the-mind-through-the-eye-and-the-eye-through-the-mind-as/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-may-sit-in-our-library-and-yet-be-in-all-quarters-of-the-earth/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [“In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/in-truth-people-can-generally-make-time-for-what-they-choose-to-do-it/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [To render ourselves insensible to pain we must forfeit also the possibilities of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/to-render-ourselves-insensible-to-pain-we-must-forfeit-also-the/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest, for he has not earned it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/the-idle-man-does-not-know-what-it-is-to-enjoy-rest-for-he-has-not/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [“Our great mistake in education is, as it seems to me, the worship of book-learning–the confusion of instruction and education. We strain the memory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-great-mistake-in-education-is-as-it-seems-to-me-the-worship-of/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Be cautious, but not too cautious; do not be too much afraid of making a mistake; a man who never makes a mistake will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/be-cautious-but-not-too-cautious-do-not-be-too-much-afraid-of-making/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [This is a great way to become more conscious. Your intention and motives are fundamental to the results you will receive. Set high intentions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/this-is-a-great-way-to-become-more-conscious-your-intention-and/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Exercise of the muscles keeps the body in health, and exercise of the brain brings peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/exercise-of-the-muscles-keeps-the-body-in-health-and-exercise-of-the/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Though it is a great mistake to make friends of the wicked and foolish, it is unwise to make enemies of them, for they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/though-it-is-a-great-mistake-to-make-friends-of-the-wicked-and/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) [Explore all 84 John Lubbock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Lubbock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-main-objective-in-life/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Goals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-main-objective-in-life/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/john-lubbock-8094_goals_our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-ma_2125216.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our own happiness ought not to be our main objective in life.” — John Lubbock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Lubbock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our own happiness ought not to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-main-objective-in-life/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-own-happiness-ought-not-to-be-our-main-objective-in-life/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```