Patriots are in the world's opinion admittedly good. Yet their goodness does not enable them to enjoy life;
Patriotism has been illustrated in China by countless heroic deeds, associated always with the death of the hero concerned.
and so I know not whether theirs is veritable goodness or not. If the former, it does not enable them to enjoy life; if the latter, it at any rate enables them to cause others to enjoy theirs.
It has been said, "If your loyal counsels are not attended to, depart quietly without resistance." Thus, when Tzŭ Hsü
The famous Wu Yüan, 6th century B.C., whose opposition to his sovereign led to his own disgrace and death.
resisted, his physical frame perished; yet had he not resisted, he would not have made his name. Is there then really such a thing as this goodness, or not?
As to what the world does and the way in which people are happy now, I know not whether such happiness be real happiness or not. The happiness of ordinary persons seems to me to consist in slavishly following the majority, as if they could not help it. Yet they all say they are happy.
"The general average of mankind are not only moderate in intellect, but also in inclinations: they have no tastes or wishes strong enough to incline them to do anything unusual." Mill's Essay on Liberty.
But I cannot say that this is happiness or that it is not happiness. Is there then, after all, such a thing as happiness?