"There are two ways of being happy: We may either diminish our wants or augment our means - either will do - the result in the same; and it is for each man to decide for himself, and do that which happens to be the easiest. If you are idle or sick or poor, however hard it may be to diminish your wants, it will be harder to augment your means. If you are active and prosperous or young and in good health, it may be easier for you to augment your means than to diminish your wants. But if you are wise, you will do both at the same time, young or old, rich or poor, sick or well; and if you are very wise you will do both in such a way as to augment the general happiness of society."
-Benjamin Franklin
I think that this quote from good ol' Ben is a true principle of success, prosperity, happiness, righteousness or any other battle we face here on this earth. He is talk specifically about being happy. But it can be applied to other aspects fo our lives. There is always a way we can better our situation. Some ways maybe be easier than others. There are different methods described that can be taken to be happy. For the truly wise (i.e. more successful, happier, more righteous) you have to do all you can.
In this quote I see 4 different techniques to being happy.
1. Only diminish wants
2. Only increase means
3. Diminish wants and increase means
4. Diminish wants and increase means with the purpose of helping others.
Examples
Sports: You might win by only playing good defense or just offense, but the champions are good at both. The legendary players do both and make all their teammate better at the same time.
Physical health: Some stay healthy by just watching what they eat. Different people are fit because they are very active. Guys like Richard Simmons do both and inspire others to be in shape too.
Financial Freedom: Some save, others just spend less, some do both, and the wise do both while helping others.
If any of you can think of some other examples share them in the comments for this post.
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