Character Quote by Sissela Bok
“Are people the best judges of their own happiness, or outsiders? In defining happiness, should we think of entire lives or of shorter periods such as moments, days, or years? And to what extent are virtue and happiness linked?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Moral Limits of the State, Sissela Bok, 1977
Happiness can be judged by oneself or others, but perspectives differ on time scale and moral connections.
In simple terms: Self vs others on happiness and time; virtue link.
Key Takeaway
Consider both personal and external views.
Themes
ethics
well‑being
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- policy making
- psychological research
Key Concepts
subjective well‑being
virtue ethics
temporal perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure lasting happiness?
- Can virtue exist without happiness?
A Different Perspective
Happiness may be fleeting, making judgments unreliable.
![“[T]here is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists . . . an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d6/george-washington-257_character_t-here-is-no-truth-more-thoroughly-estab_2010245.jpg)
