What Solon said about Happiness.—​Destiny in Human Affairs.—​The Calculation of Chances.—​Results of the Laws of Luck.—​They Cannot be Escaped.—​Runs of Luck and their Results.—​“A Fool for Luck,” and Why.—​The Story of Polycrates and its Moral.—​The Fetichism of Gamblers.—​Luck Does Less Than Many Think.—​The Miracles of Insurance.—​The Dark Hand of Destiny.—​Trifles Rule the World.—​We Are the Slaves of Chance.—​But What is Chance?

Strowingspp. [92]-108

PART III.
How Far Our Happiness Depends on Ourselves.

I. Our Occupations—​Those of Necessity and those of Choice.

The Washerwoman’s Ideal of Happiness.—​Labor is the True Source of Enjoyment.—​Selection of an Occupation.—​How to Find Pleasure in Its Pursuit.—​Fitness and Unfitness for Certain Occupations.—​Dangers of Diligence in Business.—​The Rare Complaint, Over-Conscientiousness.—​Making a Living a Mean Business.—​Occupations of Choice.—​Reflections on Recreations.

Strowingspp. [109]-117

II. Money-making, Its Laws and Its Limits.

The Universal Prayer.—​Property the Foundation of Progress.—​Wealth is Welcome to All.—​What Riches Give.—​“Effective” and “Productive” Riches.—​The Author Discovers the Fortunate Isles.—​But is Promptly Disenchanted.—​How to Get Rich.—​Another Way to Get Rich.—​New Lamps for Old.—​Riches and Happiness.

Strowingspp. [118]-127

III. The Pleasures we may Derive from Our Senses.