Quote Originally Posted by PowerWizard View Post
A very sensible answer, I can agree with almost all you've posted. However, I must contest your views on greed, for the sake of debate. Let's assume A defines P as his life goal, whereas "P" can be anything from a sum of wealth to personal achievements, family, or a mix of all. It isn't a too ambitious goal, however enables A to be happy by achieving this goal in a relatively short time and remain happy for the rest of his life. A reaches his goal "P" at the age of 35. Now what happens for the rest of his life? Doesn't his life start to deteriorate in the lack of goals? Aren't goals a constant driving force of life? If yes, can we be happy by pursuing goals? My questions are a bit loaded of course, and predict my answer, that I think goal-achievement does not directly lead to happiness, only the morality of your action, and by morality I mean the notion that you lead a meaningful life and act as such.
I don't disagree- in my original statement, I used the word "limit" very deliberately. Wanting better for yourself is not something that will inherently make you a more miserable person. Rather, letting that desire grow, fester, and take hold of your entire life will, in my opinion. Greed, as a concept, can no more be eradicated than any other emotion or desire. Attempting to completely destroy it will, ironically, make you even more unhappy because you are attempting to achieve a goal that is impossible. Rather, its best to hedge greed, work with it, contour it. Goals are, in themselves, a very healthy part of humanity. But, as I said, you cannot let goals interfere with actually living life. Its better to make your goals a part of your life, rather than make your life a part of your goals.