One day Socrates asked people:
— What is the most important thing in life?
The people around him began to express their ideas on this issue. One of them said:
— The most important thing in life is health.
Another said:
— The most important thing is to have a well-built body, be attractive and be successful with women.
The third said:
— The most important thing is to have money and position in society.
After everyone had spoken, they asked Socrates:
- What do you think about this?
Socrates said:
— I think that the most important thing in life is happiness! Do you think that every person who has health will necessarily be happy in life?
The people listening to him said:
- No, Socrates, this is not necessary.
— Will a man who has a well-built body and is successful with women necessarily be happy in life?
- No, Socrates! And this is not necessary, people answered.
“Then tell me,” Socrates continued, “is a person who has a lot of money and position in society always happy?”
“No, Socrates,” people answered, “rather, quite the opposite.” Such people are often lonely.
—Which of the types of people listed here do you consider the most worthy? - Socrates continued to ask. — Imagine that you need advice from a doctor. Which doctor will you see? To a very rich, socially positioned, well-built, successful with women, or would you prefer a doctor who is happy in this life?
All those present unanimously declared that they would seek advice from a doctor who is happy in life, because they recognize him as the most worthy.
“Thus,” Socrates announced, “we all unanimously recognized that happiness is the highest good, and we should strive for it as the most important thing in this life.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru