Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) was one of the greatest thinkers in the history of western science and philosophy, making contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance and theatre. He was a student of Plato who in turn studied under Socrates. More than anybody else, Aristotle enshrines happiness as a central purpose of human life and a goal in itself. Aristotle believed virtues led to happiness. The happiness that Aristotle spoke of was not necessarily the same that we would think of today. Aristotle thought that the practice of virtues would equate to happiness, in the sense of being all you could be.
Aristotle Quotes
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
Happiness is the settling of the soul into its most appropriate spot.
Happiness is a state of activity.
Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.
Happiness seems to require a modicum of external prosperity.
We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts not breaths; in feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.