Ask yourself Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so. The only chance is to treat not happiness, but some end external to it, as the purpose of life.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill, 1863
Happiness is not the ultimate aim; pursue higher purposes beyond personal pleasure.
In simple terms: Seek purpose beyond happiness.
Key Takeaway
Align life with meaningful goals.
Themes
philosophy
purpose
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- volunteering
- long‑term projects
- personal development
Key Concepts
Utilitarianism
higher goods
eudaimonia
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher purpose guides you?
- How do you balance personal joy with broader goals?
A Different Perspective
Happiness can be fleeting and may not sustain motivation.
![“Was there happiness at the end [of the movie], they wanted to know. If someone were to ask me today whether the story of Hassan, Sohrab, and me ends with happiness, I wouldn't know what to say. Does anybody's? After all, life is not a Hindi movie. Zendagi migzara, Afghans like to say: Life goes…” quote by Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3b2/khaled-hosseini-251_ask-me_was-there-happiness-at-the-end-of-the-mo_375102.jpg)
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
