The Map of Life Conduct and Character   By: William Edward Hartpole Lecky (1838-1903)

WORKS BY

The Rt. Hon. W. E. H. LECKY.

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THE MAP OF LIFE

Conduct and Character

by

WILLIAM EDWARD HARTPOLE LECKY

'La vie n'est pas un plaisir ni une douleur, mais une affaire grave dont nous sommes chargés, et qu'il faut conduire et terminer à notre honneur' TOCQUEVILLE

New Impression

Longmans, Green, and Co. 39 Paternoster Row, London New York and Bombay 1904

All rights reserved

Bibliographical Note.

First printed , 8vo , September 1899 . Reprinted November 1899 ; December 1899 ; January 1900 (with corrections) . Cabinet Edition , Crown 8vo , February 1901 . Reprinted December, 1902 . July, 1904

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I PAGE

How far reasoning on happiness is of any use 1 The arguments of the Determinist 2 The arguments for free will 3 Securus judicat orbis terrarum 5

CHAPTER II

Happiness a condition of mind and often confused with the means of attaining it 7 Circumstances and character contribute to it in different degrees 7 Religion, Stoicism, and Eastern nations seek it mainly by acting on disposition 7 Sensational philosophies and industrial and progressive nations seek it chiefly in improved circumstances 8 English character 8 Action of the body on happiness 10 Influence of predispositions in reasonings on life 12 Promotion of health by legislation, fashion and self culture 12 Slight causes of life failures 14 Effects of sanitary reform 14 Diminished disease does not always imply a higher level of health 15 Two causes depressing health 16 Encroachments on liberty in sanitary legislation 16 Sanitary education its chief articles its possible exaggeration 17 Constant thought about health not the way to attain it 18

CHAPTER III

Some general rules of happiness 1. A life full of work. Happiness should not be the main object of pursuit 19 Carlyle on Ennui 20 2. Aim rather at avoiding suffering than attaining pleasure 21 3. The greatest pleasures and pains in spheres accessible to all 22 4. Importance and difficulty of realising our blessings while they last 24 Comparison and contrast 26 Content not the quality of progressive societies 27 The problem of balancing content and the desire for progress 28 What civilisation can do for happiness 28

CHAPTER IV