"I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them"
- John Stuart Mill
About this Quote
John Stuart Mill was a British thinker, economist, and political theorist who lived in the 19th century. The quote "I have actually found out to seek my happiness by restricting my desires, rather than trying to please them" shows Mill's approach of utilitarianism, which holds that the goal of human action ought to be to optimize joy or utility.
According to Mill, happiness can be accomplished by limiting our desires, instead of by constantly aiming to meet them. He thought that people can become caught in a limitless cycle of desire and consumption, which ultimately results in discontentment, disappointment, and unhappiness. By restricting our desires, we can learn to appreciate what we already have and discover satisfaction in basic enjoyments.
Mill's viewpoint of utilitarianism likewise stressed the importance of social and political organizations that promote the best good for the greatest variety of people. He thought that federal governments should work to create conditions that would enable people to attain joy and satisfaction, such as education, health care, and social well-being programs.
In general, Mill's quote highlights the idea that real joy comes from within, which by limiting our desires and expectations, we can learn to live a more fulfilling and pleasing life.
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"