We ask ourselves, why aren’t we happy? It’s a question that lingers in the quiet of night, or in the scribbles on a napkin at a dimly lit bar. We view happiness as something fleeting, a feeling that ebbs and flows like the tide. We search for it in pills and bottles, in moments of passion and pleasure. But what if, after the dust has settled and the bottles are empty, we still find ourselves adrift?
It’s then that we must look to the past, to the classics, to find the answers we seek. Like a pair of glasses to a man with poor vision, they offer clarity and understanding. And so, we turn to the story of Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, and his encounter with Croesus, the wealthy king of Lydia.
Croesus, basking in the glow of his wealth and power, asks Solon to name the happiest man he has ever encountered. Expecting to hear his own name, Croesus is instead told of Tellus, a man from Athens whose country prospered during his lifetime, who had good and beautiful sons, and who died a glorious death in battle. The second happiest, Solon declares, were a pair of strong and devoted brothers, Cleobis and Bito, who sacrificed their lives to honor their mother.
Croesus is confused, how could these men be happier than he, a king with all the riches and luxuries one could desire? Solon explains that while wealth can provide comfort and ease, it cannot give true happiness. True happiness comes from civic duty, family, physical and mental well-being, and honoring the gods. And so, we must look beyond material possessions and seek fulfillment in these things.
As we navigate this world, let us remember the words of Solon and the wisdom of the classics. Let us strive for a life of purpose and meaning, and not be fooled by the fleeting illusions of happiness. For true happiness, like Cleobis and Bito, is something that can only be achieved in the soul.
