"Happiness: a good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion"

Material security forms the foundation for much of what people commonly associate with happiness, and the opening part of Rousseau’s phrase, “a good bank account,” recognizes this reality with unflinching pragmatism. Financial stability does not guarantee happiness by itself, but it removes sources of daily anxiety. Worries about debt, where the next meal is coming from, or how to pay the rent, all impede our ability to enjoy life or seek fulfillment beyond mere survival. Thus, the possession of sufficient funds, represented by a healthy bank account, acts as a precondition for relaxation, contentment, and peace of mind.

Next, Rousseau highlights the role of sensory pleasure and care by referencing “a good cook.” Good food nourishes not just the body but also the soul, inviting joy into everyday experience. Food prepared with skill and affection signals a home, warmth, and attention to detail. It also fosters social bonds; communal meals deepen relationships, embodying hospitality and love. The presence of a “good cook” thus transcends the physical aspect of eating, suggesting the presence of affection and the celebration of daily rituals that delight the senses and create cherished memories.

Finally, all pleasures depend upon our own well-being, reflected in the need for “a good digestion.” Without health, even the finest meals lose their appeal, and financial wealth cannot buy relief from physical discomfort. Digestion here symbolizes the simple, foundational wellness that allows us to enjoy not only food but also all other aspects of life. The ability to process and assimilate what we take in, from nourishment to experiences, is crucial for sustained happiness.

Rousseau’s aphorism encapsulates how happiness is intimately tied to life’s essential comforts: security, enjoyment, and well-being. True happiness does not lie in grandeur or abstraction but in the satisfaction of basic needs cared for with quality, affection, and respect for the body’s fundamental requirements.