Aristotle Quote

**rogercbryan** · 07-31-2008 09:51 AM

“All men seek one goal : success or happiness. The only way to achieve true success is to express yourself completely in service to society. First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal-a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve”

Aristotle 384 BC – 322 BC

I came across this quote in a book I was reading yesterday. It made me think... how did Aristotle know thousands of years ago that it was success OR happiness. I always thought the stresses of success were a modern creation. I may only be concentrating on the first sentence and I may be missing a greater meaning... but this is how I interpreted what I read.

What do you all think?

**RLorenzen** · 07-31-2008 09:59 AM

I found this to be true in that most people I know only seek one or the other, however, once success is achieved happiness usually follows...as long as you have a passion for what you are doing.

On a day to day basis I focus more on success than happiness, but in the end I love what I do so I am happy as well as successful.

On the other hand, if you love what you do you may be happy whether you're successful or not..even though you may be seeking success more than happiness...

I seek success more than happiness.

**topsearchresult** · 07-31-2008 11:30 AM

If you're working for 40hrs a week for the rest of your life, you have to make sure you like what you do. Not only that, if you like it you will more than likely be good at it. The dream for me is to work and not even know it, to enjoy it that much.
I believe success can live with happiness. In fact I wouldn't consider myself successful if I was not happy.

**KKoher** · 07-31-2008 03:17 PM

It makes sense...but I think in some cases it may be possible to achieve both. You don't need to be successful to be happy, and vice versa ... obv. you can be Successful, but not happy. BUT, I do think, or maybe just hope, that once success is achieved, it is possible to have happiness as well. It also depends on what your definition of success is. Right now, I'd say for me to be successful would be for my store to grow to that point that I could afford to hire more staff, and spend more time with my family. In that case, I would be successful, and happy....if someone not in my shoes were to look at my current situation, would they say that I was not successful (owning a store at 23) and happy? I most certainly am happy, even though stress is a regular part of my day...it is the success I am still trying to achieve. But just because I am not where I want to be, does it mean am I not successful? IDK...I guess it depends on your definition.

**Aletheides** · 07-31-2008 06:47 PM

"When success is achieved, happiness follows"

But who is to say what is successful and what isn't? Once you have reached a goal, there is always another, and so on until the day you die.

This is what I've been thinking about lately. When is enough success enough? Will I always be driven to do/have/get more?

I heard a saying the other day, it was "In true happiness lies contentment." So you will be happy not when a certain bar of success has been reached (because the bar is always raised when reached), but rather when you are content with what you have already.

I can see why Aristotle said success or happiness. To strive for success would mean you aren't content with what you have.

I became an entrepreneur so I wouldn't have to work the rest of my life, yet I find myself working just as much. Sure I have more money than I would if I was employed for someone else, but I also have a lot more responsibilities. I am constantly thinking about work even when I'm not working. Sometimes I feel trapped, it can be annoying.

I suppose I'm not content yet, but when I have a family I want to relax and spend more time on what's really important in life.

The stresses of success is definitely not a modern creation. Success and power is as old as man.

**chrispalko** · 07-31-2008 08:07 PM

Great quote. I feel like searching for more.

**rogercbryan** · 08-01-2008 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Aletheides

"When success is achieved, happiness follows"

But who is to say what is successful and what isn't? Once you have reached a goal, there is always another, and so on until the day you die.

This is what I've been thinking about lately. When is enough success enough? Will I always be driven to do/have/get more?

I heard a saying the other day, it was "In true happiness lies contentment." So you will be happy not when a certain bar of success has been reached (because the bar is always raised when reached), but rather when you are content with what you have already.

I can see why Aristotle said success or happiness. To strive for success would mean you aren't content with what you have.

I became an entrepreneur so I wouldn't have to work the rest of my life, yet I find myself working just as much. Sure I have more money than I would if I was employed for someone else, but I also have a lot more responsibilities. I am constantly thinking about work even when I'm not working. Sometimes I feel trapped, it can be annoying.

I suppose I'm not content yet, but when I have a family I want to relax and spend more time on what's really important in life.

The stresses of success is definitely not a modern creation. Success and power is as old as man.

I think you are 100% on point with what I'm thinking.... When is my level of success going to be enough to be happy?

I've set some pretty high goals for myself and as I reach them.... nothing... a momentary feeling of accomplishment.. then the drive for more kicks back in.

I've also come to accept that the worse my personal life is (relationships) the better my business is... this drives me nuts... why can't I have both?

**rogercbryan** · 08-01-2008 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by KKoher

It makes sense...but I think in some cases it may be possible to achieve both. You don't need to be successful to be happy, and vice versa ... obv. you can be Successful, but not happy. BUT, I do think, or maybe just hope, that once success is achieved, it is possible to have happiness as well. It also depends on what your definition of success is. Right now, I'd say for me to be successful would be for my store to grow to that point that I could afford to hire more staff, and spend more time with my family. In that case, I would be successful, and happy....if someone not in my shoes were to look at my current situation, would they say that I was not successful (owning a store at 23) and happy? I most certainly am happy, even though stress is a regular part of my day...it is the success I am still trying to achieve. But just because I am not where I want to be, does it mean am I not successful? IDK...I guess it depends on your definition.

Owing your own store at any age makes you successful.. at 23 even more so.. I don't want people to think I'm unhappy... I love my company and I love the fact that I've started three more this year. I just don't understand why I can't seem to find happiness outside of the business realm...